Canadian performing rights organization SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) has partnered with rights management technology firm Musical AI to create a framework that ensures songwriters, composers and publishers are credited and paid when artificial intelligence systems use their works.
The agreement is built on two principles: music creators must opt in before their catalogues are used for AI training or generation, and they must receive attribution and compensation whenever their material contributes to an AI-produced output.
Musical AI’s technology analyzes AI-generated music and identifies the specific source recordings that influenced the result, breaking down contributions to percentage points. SOCAN will work with the company to study how these attribution tools can be applied within Canada’s rights landscape, aiming to connect AI outputs to proper royalty distribution for its members.
SOCAN has designated Musical AI as an approved technology partner for attribution services and related initiatives.
Jennifer Brown, CEO of SOCAN, said:
“As AI reshapes the music industry, music creators must have transparency, credit and fair compensation. SOCAN’s role is to protect the rights and livelihoods of songwriters, composers and music publishers. This collaboration with Musical AI establishes a foundation for attribution and compensation, to ensure that music creators are paid when their music is used by AI.”
