SoundExchange is set to establish a global artificial intelligence (AI) registry for sound recording creators and rights owners, aiming to protect their rights in the evolving AI landscape. This announcement was made by SoundExchange President & CEO Michael Huppe during a discussion with artist Timbaland at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in Manhattan.
The registry is designed to help creators reserve their rights regarding the use of their content in AI models. While U.S. law does not mandate such reservations, the global registry will offer an additional resource for AI companies to manage their training data responsibly and support similar protections internationally.
Scheduled for launch in Q1 2025, the registry will enhance SoundExchange's existing systems for collecting and distributing recording royalties. It will leverage the organization's authoritative international standard recording code (ISRC) database, allowing companies developing AI models to reference authorization declarations before using recordings.
Huppe emphasized the need for creators to easily declare their preferences regarding the use of their work in AI. He stated, "Our driving mission is to simplify the music industry and protect the value of music." SoundExchange aims to bridge the information gap while empowering creators and rights owners.
Despite the initiative, concerns remain about the timing, as many AI companies have already utilized copyrighted music for training. Legal arguments are ongoing, with companies like Anthropic asserting that their use of copyrighted material falls under "fair use." The outcome of these discussions will be crucial for the future of music rights in the age of AI.