It has been challenging to navigate AI generated music without clear guidelines. For months, it felt like it was the Wild West, with lots of new (AI generated) work but no firm rules, so we put some registrations on hold to protect musicians’ rights. Now Buma/Stemra has introduced a practical framework that finally brings clarity to AI and music rights management.

Creators can now register four types of works through MijnBumaStemra. First, original compositions with AI-generated lyrics are fully protected under your name while the lyrics themselves aren’t royalty bearing. Second, the reverse applies when you write the lyrics and the AI composes the music, so you register the music under AI BumaStemra and the lyrics in your name. Third, AI assisted works where you have made enough creative choices qualify as your own work and are registered as usual with full royalties. Fourth, fully AI generated works without significant human input cannot be registered or paid.

To ensure your creations qualify for protection it is vital to document your process. Keep track of any prompts, edits and personal creative choices using MyMusicSafe on the MijnBumaStemra portal. This evidence could prove essential in showing your personal stamp on the work. At Copyright Power International we applaud Buma/Stemra for these guidelines and we encourage all artists to stay informed via the AI page and newsletter so that your rights remain secure in this evolving landscape.