Story perspectives

Tidal to Label, Block Royalties for Pure AI Songs

6/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

Tidal will label tracks that are 100 percent AI-generated and deny royalties for them beginning July 15.
The policy also bans AI-generated music used for fraudulent activity such as impersonating artists or deceptive streaming.
Initially the label applies only to wholly AI-generated songs, with plans to expand to substantially AI-generated tracks as detection tools improve.
Tidal says the move protects artists’ livelihoods and gives listeners clear information about content.

History

Historical Context

The Music Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte in December 2017 and signed by President Donald Trump on October 11 2018, created the non-profit Mechanical Licensing Collective to centralize mechanical-license data. By 2021 the MLC began distributing unmatched royalties, reflecting the act’s goal of transparent payments—originally set at 12.7 cents per composition. Tidal’s AI-song rollout echoes this push for clear attribution and fair compensation.

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Story summary

Tidal will label tracks that are 100 percent AI-generated and deny royalties for them beginning July 15.
The policy also bans AI-generated music used for fraudulent activity such as impersonating artists or deceptive streaming.
Initially the label applies only to wholly AI-generated songs, with plans to expand to substantially AI-generated tracks as detection tools improve.
Tidal says the move protects artists’ livelihoods and gives listeners clear information about content.

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