Sony warns 700 AI devs, music streaming companies against content misuse

Savannah Fortis10 hours agoSony warns 700 AI devs, music streaming companies against content misuseSony is cracking down on AI developers like OpenAI and Microsoft with a letter that prohibits them from using its content to train or develop commercial AI systems.1230 Total views1 Total sharesListen to article 0:00NewsOwn this piece of crypto historyCollect this article as NFTJoin us on social networksSong Music has taken action to warn companies against the misuse of its copyrighted material for almost any artificial intelligence-related purpose.

On May 16, a letter surfaced that Sony sent to more than 700 companies warning them that it was prohibiting them from using its music for the training, development or commercialization of any AI system. Sony also opted out of any text and data mining of its content. “This letter serves to put you on notice directly, and reiterate, that [Sony’s labels] expressly prohibit any use of [their] content.”

The letter states that Sony and the artists it represents “recognise the significant potential and advancement of artificial intelligence.” However, “unauthorized use . . . in the training, development or commercialisation of AI systems deprives [Sony] of control over and appropriate compensation.”

Sony represents some of today’s biggest music artists, including Beyoncé, Adele and Harry Styles, among many others. 

The letter was sent to developers of AI technology, including some of the most prominent developers, such as OpenAI, Microsoft and Google, and music streaming service providers, such as Spotify and Apple Music.

Sony asked the companies to adopt “best practices” in order to protect artists and songwriters and warned against scrapping and mining its data without consent, asking the streaming services to update their terms of service to emphasize the prohibition of data mining and training on its content.

Related:Hollywood union deal with music giants guards against AI use

The letter told developers that due to the nature of their operations and the published information about their AI systems, “We have reason to believe that you and/or your affiliates may already have made unauthorized uses [of Sony content] in relation to the training, development or commercialisation of AI systems.” 

Sony made it clear that it prohibits the use of any “automated analytical techniques aimed at analyzing text and data in digital form to generate information, including patterns, trends and correlations.”

It then gave developers until the following week to provide the details of all the content used to t their models.

According to reports, Sony executives are already concerned that large amounts of the company’s music have already been “ripped off” and are eager to clarify the first step of legal action to take place.

The music industry has been active in fighting against AI technologies that take advantage of artists or misuse copyrighted content, though this is not limited to just the music industry. 

Writers, actors and other creatives who regularly publish work have already opened lawsuits or formed coalitions against major AI developers in an effort to gather leverage against their content being used in an unauthorized manner.

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