Independent music publishers are pressing artificial-intelligence companies to give compositions a stronger place in licensing negotiations alongside master recordings.
Independent Music Publishers’ E-Licensing, or IMPEL, and the Independent Music Publishers International Forum, or IMPF, published a joint framework September 30. They argue that, absent other relevant factors, a song should be valued at least equally with its recording in generative artificial-intelligence licensing.
The framework calls for transparent calculations, justified deductions and specific licence scopes. It also seeks separate treatment of payments for past use, model training, generated outputs and future exploitation.
The organizations say three technology pilots are examining identification, tracking and attribution of musical works across training, generation and outputs, including the reporting needed for payment.
These are proposed negotiating principles. The statement does not establish a universal royalty rate, a legal requirement or a completed agreement with an artificial-intelligence provider.
The RNN question: Can a songwriter see how a work was used, understand the resulting payment and challenge an incorrect attribution?
The distinction matters because ownership of a composition and ownership of its recording can belong to different parties. Transparent terms would help each party understand the permission being requested and how compensation is calculated.
Source: IMPF’s official announcement and linked joint statement.