A global coalition of 31 music organizations has issued an open letter demanding that artists and songwriters be given a direct voice and consent rights as the industry negotiates deals with artificial intelligence companies. The letter, titled “No Consent, No Deal”, argues that creators are being sidelined in discussions that could reshape how their work is used.
Signatories include Irving Azoff’s Music Artists Coalition, the Featured Artists Coalition, and other groups representing performers, songwriters, and managers. The coalition states that labels and publishers are already informing artists that their catalogs are being used to train AI models, and that new signees are being required to consent to AI usage as a condition of their contracts.
The letter outlines three core principles:
- Consent & Control: Artists and songwriters must have active opportunities to consent to the use of their work for AI, with clear terms defining what that consent entails.
- Fair Compensation: Those who opt in should receive proper remuneration.
- Clarity & Transparency: Creators need full information to make informed decisions about licensing their rights.
David Martin, CEO of the Featured Artists Coalition, said: “This is a pivotal moment for the music business. If we take a collegiate approach, we can capitalise on the opportunities of AI. But that approach has to be based on explicit creator consent. Artists must control how their rights are being used, and whether they even want to license those rights in the first place.”
