New Bill Would Let Indie Musicians Collectively Bargain with Streamers, AI Firms

The Protect Working Musicians Act would allow indie artists to collectively bargain with streaming services for better royalty rates.
The updated version of the act also aims to give indie artists more power to negotiate fair rates and terms with AI companies using their music.
AI threatens artists by turning their work into new creations without consent or compensation.
Small, independent artists are especially worried about the threat AI poses to their livelihoods.
It's unclear if or when the revised bill will come to a vote in the House, but it has bipartisan support on the Judiciary Committee.

billboard.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/19/2023

Chris Lake on AI: "Huge benefits are going to come from AI, but it really needs regulation. The ways it can be abused are far beyond what most people understand"

The main topic is the debate surrounding artificial intelligence in the music industry. 1. Some believe AI has the potential to be useful for artists, musicians, and producers. 2. Others are concerned about the negative consequences and potential obsolescence if AI is not regulated properly. 3. Chris Lake, a producer and DJ, believes in embracing the benefits of AI but emphasizes the importance of regulation to prevent abuse.

8/22/2023

A.I. Copyrights, Michael Jackson Abuse Cases, Smokey Robinson Trial & More Top Legal News

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8/23/2023

Selena Gomez, Drake & More Musicians Who Have Spoken Out About AI

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8/26/2023

How can the synergy of AI and blockchain disrupt the music industry?

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8/26/2023

Here Are the Top AI Stories You Missed This Week

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8/30/2023

British MPs call on government to scrap AI exemptions that hurt artists

A British parliamentary committee is urging the government to prioritize the rights of musicians and creators over AI developers by axing plans that would allow AI developers to freely train their systems on existing works of music, literature, and art.

9/8/2023

AI Music Tools Spark Debates on Originality and Regulation as Computers Encroach on Human Creativity

AI is a topic of concern and fascination within the music industry, as musicians and composers grapple with the potential benefits and threats it poses to their work, with tools already available that enable the creation of professional-sounding original compositions, but with debates surrounding the authenticity and copyright of AI-generated music.

9/20/2023

Songwriters Advocate for AI Copyright Laws on Capitol Hill

High-profile songwriters are meeting with Congressmen to advocate for legislation protecting musicians' copyrights in the face of the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in the music industry. The industry wants clear legislation that requires permission from copyright holders to use pre-existing songs to train AI for generating new music.

9/27/2023

Music Industry Divided on Embracing AI Amid Concerns Over Fake Vocals and Lack of Control

The CEO of Warner Music Group believes that AI is a positive development for the music industry and suggests creating a system similar to YouTube's Content ID to protect artists from copyright infringement. However, the music industry is divided over AI, with attempts to prevent AI-generated tracks from ripping off signed musicians while dealing with a surge of phony tracks.

9/28/2023

Hollywood and Music Industries Grapple with AI's Threats and Promise

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10/12/2023

French music rights group opts members out of AI training over consent concerns

France’s Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers of Music (Sacem) has announced that it will require prior authorization for the use of its members' work in the development of artificial intelligence tools to ensure fair remuneration and respect for copyright. Sacem aims to make AI more virtuous and transparent without opposing its development. This comes amid growing debate in Europe over the implications of AI for professionals in the creative industries and the use of original works to train AI tools.