AI Music Sparks Controversy: ICMP Accuses Firms of Copyright Infringement, Artists Face 20% Income Drop

- ICMP accuses AI firms of unauthorized use of copyrighted material, threatening creators' livelihoods. - AI-generated music growth could reduce artist incomes by 20% in four years, spurring industry calls for regulation. On September 17, 2025, the International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP), an organization representing major record labels and music publishers, accused artificial intelligence companies of "wilful copyright infringement." According to a Cryptopolitan report on September 17, the Brussels-based organization claims several firms—including OpenAI, Suno, Udio, and Mistral—unlawfully used copyrighted music and lyrics to train their generative AI models. These findings stem from an investigation spanning nearly two years. The report alleges that these AI companies "scraped" massive amounts of copyrighted material from the internet, a practice it labels "the largest copyright infringement exercise that has been seen." On September 17, Cryptopolitan, citing an original Billboard report, further detailed that this activity constitutes a "direct breach" of the rights of music publishers and their songwriter partners. The financial stakes for artists are substantial. A study by the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) estimates that as AI-generated music expands its market footprint, artists' incomes could fall by 20% within the next four years. As a result, the ICMP and other rights holders warn that the rise of AI-composed music could erode the intrinsic value of traditional music creation and broader distribution networks. In response, the music industry is intensifying calls for regulatory action to ensure AI accountability and transparency. Proposed measures include legislation like the European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act, which would require AI developers to disclose their training datasets and secure licensing agreements for copyrighted material. Meanwhile, legal disputes around this issue are heating up. In June 2024, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) took legal action against Suno and Udio, alleging they used copyrighted music without authorization. Concurrently, major music publishers like Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group are actively negotiating with AI developers to establish licensing frameworks for the use of copyrighted works. The "fair use" doctrine lies at the heart of this debate. While AI firms maintain their practices adhere to legal standards, music publishers argue that the unlicensed commercialization of copyrighted materials is unlawful.