🔒 Know Your Rights.
According to the U.S. Copyright Office (88 Fed. Reg. 16,190, March 16, 2023): Human authorship is required for copyright protection—even with AI involvement. Good news: You can protect your AI-enhanced tracks—if your creative input is significant.
✅ Protect Your Copyright: Do This Now
AI-generated elements cannot be copyrighted. But your artistic choices—vocal performances, mixing, editing, and direction—can and must be protected.
When registering:
- Disclose all AI use to the Copyright Office.
- Claim only the parts you created.
- Use this exact phrasing in your application:“Registration limited to human authorship in the selection, coordination, and arrangement of AI-generated material, and to creative modifications made to the AI-generated output. AI-generated elements are disclaimed.”
This keeps your registration valid and enforceable.
💰 Royalties Still Flow—Even with AI
Updating your music with AI does not void your royalty rights.
SoundExchange collects digital performance royalties for non-interactive streams (e.g., Pandora, SiriusXM, internet radio). You still earn:
- 45% as the featured artist
- 50% as the sound recording copyright owner (you or your label)
- 5% to the session musicians fund
As long as you’re registered with SoundExchange and the track is played, you get paid.
🚀 3-Step Quick Action Plan
- Document your creative process—show where you made key decisions.
- Register your updated work with the Copyright Office—with AI disclosure.
- Stay active with SoundExchange to collect all digital performance royalties.
Innovate with AI. Protect with law. Get paid every time it plays.