On May 16th, a letter from Sony was circulated to over 700 companies, warning that Sony prohibits the use of its music for the training, development, or commercialization of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Sony also rejected all forms of text and data mining from its content.
The letter stated that Sony and the artists it represents “recognize the great potential and advancements in artificial intelligence.” However, “unauthorized use in the training, development, or commercialization of AI systems deprives [Sony] of control and due compensation.”
Sony represents some of the biggest music artists today, including Beyoncé, Adele, and Harry Styles, among many other global artists.
The letter was sent to AI technology developers, including several leading developers such as OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google, as well as music streaming service providers like Spotify and Apple Music.
Sony asked these companies to adopt “best practices” to protect artists and songwriters and warned against data mining and research without consent. Sony requested streaming services to update their terms of service to emphasize the ban on data mining and training on their content.
The letter also informed developers that, based on the nature of their operations and information published about their AI systems, “we have reason to believe that you and/or your affiliates may have used [Sony content] without permission in connection with the training, development, or commercialization of AI systems.”
Sony affirmed the prohibition of the use of “automatic analysis techniques aimed at analyzing text and data in digital form to generate information, including patterns, trends, and correlations.”
Sony gave developers a one-week deadline to provide details of all content used for their models.
According to reports, Sony executives are already concerned that a significant amount of the company’s music has been “stolen” and want to clarify the first legal steps that will be taken.
The music industry has been active in combating AI technology that exploits artists or misuses copyrighted content, although it is not limited to the music industry alone. Writers, actors, and other creators who regularly publish works have filed lawsuits or formed coalitions against major AI developers in an effort to gather bargaining power in the illegal use of their content.
Meanwhile, Sony AI was founded in April 2020 to push the boundaries of AI and robotics research, with a focus on entertainment. In collaboration with global artists and creators, Sony AI aims to revolutionize human creativity and imagination through innovative projects in AI ethics, gaming, imaging, and sensing.
Sony AI has a continuously growing research portfolio that includes unique and exciting Flagship Projects in the fields of Imaging & Sensing, Gaming, Ethics, Scientific Discovery, Robotics, and Content Creation. At the forefront of each flagship project is a “Grand Challenge”.
Sony has a strong global presence in Music, Film, and Electronics. Currently, Sony is a world leader in image sensing, supplying CMOS image sensors to camera and mobile phone manufacturers worldwide. Sony AI offers unique opportunities for researchers and engineers to engage in projects that leverage the diverse business portfolio and technical assets of the Sony Group.
Their initiatives include the development of trusted AI systems and the exploration of AI interactions with the physical world, while prioritizing ethical considerations to protect the interests of AI users and creators. For more details, visit Sony AI.
