Full Breakdown
Global Music Industry Coalition Calls for Artist Consent in AI Deals
6/22/2026, 9:11:36 PM
Core Event: Open Letter Demands Consent, Fair Pay, Transparency
On 22 June, a global coalition of music-industry bodies issued an open letter titled *Artists And Songwriters Must Not Be Pressured Into AI Deals Without Meaningful Consent*. It demands that record companies, publishers and AI firms obtain explicit, informed consent before using artists’ works, voices, performances, likenesses or creative identities, and that any use include fair remuneration and clear, timely information.
Context: AI’s Growing Role in Music
AI-generated music is expanding: a cited study found 97 % of listeners cannot distinguish AI tracks from human-made songs; Deezer reported 28 % of uploads were fully AI-generated; Spotify removed 75 million “spammy” AI tracks. Labels have meanwhile signed licensing deals with AI firms such as Suno, Udio, ElevenLabs and Klay, including Warner, Universal, Sony, Merlin and Kobalt.
Signatories and Their Reach
The Ivors Academy, Featured Artists Coalition, Music Managers Forum UK, Music Artists Coalition, Songwriters of North America, National Independent Talent Organization, Artists Rights Alliance, Black Music Action Coalition, Music Managers Forum Canada, Association of Artist Managers (Australia), Music Managers Forum Aotearoa (New Zealand), European Music Managers Alliance, European Composer and Songwriter Alliance, International Artists Organization, UMAN (France), IMUC (Germany), FORMA (Spain), and manager groups in the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Ireland, Belgium, Finland, Hungary, Estonia, Denmark, Ukraine, Iceland and Switzerland, plus the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
Data Highlighting AI Impact
Key figures: 97 % of listeners can’t tell AI from real music; 28 % of Deezer uploads are AI-generated; 75 million AI tracks were removed by Spotify.
Official Statements & Responses
The IFPI said its members are fighting unauthorised use and developing licensing models that return revenue to creators. Roberto Neri, Ivors Academy CEO, warned that songwriters must not sign away rights without proper authorisation, fair pay and transparency.
Industry Criticism
Labels argue AI firms need training data but claim they need not grant artists identical rights, and some attorneys say contracts can opt artists in without special approvals.
What’s Next: Policy and Industry Outlook
The coalition urges governments to embed consent, fair pay and transparency into upcoming AI-related copyright reforms, and industry groups pledge public commitments against default opt-ins.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Stop the misuse of [our] rights in AI deals,” — Press release, June 22
- “At a time when policymakers are reviewing copyright rules in response to AI, the protection of artists’ and songwriters’ rights, voices and remuneration is not negotiable.” — Open letter
- “The future of music must be built with artists, songwriters and their representatives, not imposed on them.” — Open letter
- “Some of the labels have already taken the position that they technically don’t need special approvals to train,” — Jason Boyarski, founding partner, Boyarski Fritz
