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Merlin Warns Against AI Training With Unlicensed Music

Merlin Warns Against AI Training With Unlicensed Music

The No-Go Zone: AI and Indie Music – A Wild Ride

Hey there, fellow music lover! Grab your favorite snack, because we’re diving into the juicy world where music meets technology. Specifically, let’s talk about the hot gossip surrounding AI and the music industry. Spoiler: there’s drama. Like, reality TV levels of drama.

AI: The New Kid on the Block

So, here’s the sitch: Merlin, a big cheese when it comes to global licensing for indie labels, just laid down the law. They’ve basically told AI companies, “Nope, can’t just use our tunes to train your robots without asking nicely—meaning, without explicit written authorization.” Yep, Merlin’s throwing down some serious shield-over-the-tunes action, and who can blame them, right?

Major Labels Singing the Same Tune

Before Merlin even took the stage, industry giants like Sony Music and Warner Music Group had already sent their own Dear John letters to AI developers. This was sparked by the European Union getting all serious with their AI Act, which gives artists an “opt-out” option. It’s not like a Facebook settings page for AI training, but more like a checkbox that they’re not just going to skim past.

I remember when I first dipped my toes into music-making with AI. I thought, “How cool would it be if a machine could emulate my janky electronic beats?” But I quickly realized, as Einstein might say, there’s no free lunch. Using someone’s copyrighted music to teach a computer without a ‘pleeeeease’ and a handshake? Not cool with a capital “N.”

Fair Use: The Fuzzy Grey Area

Ah, the classic debate of what makes ‘use’ fair or… well, thefty? Suno and Udio, leading apps in generative AI music, are right in the crosshairs. They’ve claimed the magic words “fair use” in their defense. It’s like that time I tried passing my garage band’s song as an opening act without asking the original artist. Spoiler: didn’t fly well.

There’s technically this four-part “fair use” test. It’s like AI’s pop quiz that includes purpose, nature, the amount of work used, and market impact. Merlin’s throwing shade, saying these AI models basically flunk it. Hard. Like, didn’t-even-show-up-to-the-test kind of fail.

The Artist’s Dilemma

Can you imagine spending years perfecting a track only for a bot to digest it and spit out something that sounds… eerily similar? It’s like serving a gourmet dish, and then bam, someone just copies the recipe but with robot flair.

Merlin’s defending all those indie artists out there trying to make ends meet. You know the saying, “Support local artists”? Yeah, this is kind of what it’s about. AI making cash off unpermitted swing-a-ding-dings could undercut genuine creators. That’s just shady business.

Regulation Station – The Bill Train

Let’s get legislative here. There’s a bill parade because, frankly, the music industry isn’t about to play second fiddle. The TRAIN Act is all about pegging transparency when it comes to what AI noshes on during training. Kind of like requiring a nutrition label for what powers your favorite AI DJ.

Another brainchild, the COPY…wait for it…IED Act, makes it illegal to train AI on copyrighted works without a “pretty please” note from the artist. So many acronyms, so little time!

AI: Friend or Foe in the Creative Space?

Here’s a morsel. As a musician who’s gamed the sequence and synth space, I’ve seen AI do some pretty cool stuff. Partnering with AI could pave the way for uncharted collabs. But, merging creativity with tech doesn’t mean forgetting the main act—the human touch, the artist’s right.

Merlin isn’t slamming the door on AI. They’re actually pretty hyped about tagging along with AI companies. But only the ones that vibe well with artist rights and fairness. A partnership, they say. I’m down for that if it means new sounds that don’t trample existing beats!

Wrapping It Up (With a Beat Drop)

So there you have it! The music industry is dancing this intricate tango with AI, and yeah, sometimes stepping on toes. It’s a thrilling time, and while AI’s got the potential to remix the music world, credit and fairness need to be in the mix.

Just like when I grab a coffee with an old bandmate and brainstorm new chorus lines, AI should be a creative partner, not a shadowy competitor peeling off those note-by-note recreations. Until next time, keep those heads bobbing and support your local artists—AI might compose some catchy tunes, but nothing beats a soulful riff from a real human heart.

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