In a landmark decision, major North American performing rights organizations ASCAP, BMI, and SOCAN have aligned their policies to accept the registration of musical works that are partially generated by artificial intelligence. This move reflects the evolving landscape of music creation, providing a framework for compensation and protection while firmly advocating for human creators’ rights against unauthorized AI use.
The music industry stands at a pivotal moment, grappling with the rapid advancements of artificial intelligence. On October 28, 2025, a significant step was taken to address this evolving challenge. The three leading North American performing rights organizations (PROs) – the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), and the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) – announced a unified policy regarding the registration of AI-assisted musical compositions.
This coordinated approach allows creators to register musical works that combine elements of AI-generated content with elements of human authorship directly with the individual societies. The policy does not, however, extend to compositions created entirely using AI tools, underscoring a foundational commitment to human creativity.
Defining the New Landscape: What Qualifies as ‘Partially AI-Generated’?
The core of this new policy hinges on a clear definition. A “partially AI-generated musical work” is defined by all three PROs as one that integrates AI-generated musical content with tangible elements of human authorship. This distinction is crucial, drawing a line between AI as a creative tool and AI as the sole originator.
This means that if a songwriter uses an AI tool to generate a melody, but then a human composer develops the harmonies, lyrics, and overall structure, the resulting work would be eligible for registration. The human contribution remains central, ensuring that the recognized work reflects a meaningful creative input from an individual.
Why the Alignment Now? The Creator’s Evolving Workflow
The decision by ASCAP, BMI, and SOCAN is a direct response to the reality that songwriters and composers are increasingly incorporating AI tools into their creative process. From generating initial ideas to refining arrangements, AI is becoming an integral part of modern music production workflows. This policy alignment acknowledges this technological shift while attempting to maintain order and fairness within the rights management system.
The PROs emphasized that while many AI tools are being developed responsibly, their firm position remains that AI technology companies ingesting and training models on copyrighted musical works without explicit permission, compensation, or credit to creators constitutes theft, not fair use. This strong stance highlights their ongoing advocacy for creators’ rights in the face of burgeoning AI capabilities.
Voices from the Industry: Leadership on AI and Creativity
The leaders of these prominent organizations articulated their vision for this new policy:
- Elizabeth Matthews, CEO, ASCAP: “Songwriters and composers have always experimented with innovative tools as part of their creative process, and AI is no exception. We are clarifying our registration policy to now welcome partially AI-generated musical works because we believe AI can be a powerful tool for our members, as long as the law puts humans first and technology companies play fair and respect the rights of creators.”
- Mike O’Neill, President & CEO, BMI: “This is an important first step in protecting human creativity as AI technologies evolve, while supporting the songwriters and composers who choose to use AI as a tool to enhance their creative process. All music creators will benefit from this aligned approach to the registration of partial AI-works that appropriately values creators’ contributions and ensures they are paid properly.”
- Jennifer Brown, CEO, SOCAN: “This alignment creates a legal and ethical path forward for AI in music. It recognizes that music creators are embracing new tools, while reinforcing our commitment to what matters most: respect for their work and the protection of human creativity. The future of music can embrace AI and still remain deeply human.”
These statements collectively underscore a dual commitment: to support innovation and the use of AI as a tool, while vigorously defending the fundamental rights and value of human artistic contribution. More details on these policies and ongoing advocacy can typically be found on the individual PROs’ official websites, such as the dedicated sections for AI initiatives on ASCAP’s website.
A Legacy of Advocacy: Protecting Creators in the Digital Age
This policy alignment is not an isolated event but rather a continuation of the PROs’ long-standing commitment to protecting music creators. ASCAP, BMI, and SOCAN have consistently advocated for the enforcement of strong copyright laws and have been active participants in the global dialogue surrounding AI policy. Their efforts include:
- Endorsing meaningful AI legislation in both the U.S. and Canada.
- Supporting lawsuits filed on behalf of music creators against the illegal use of their work by AI companies.
- Contributing to major AI policy initiatives and studies by authoritative bodies, including the U.S. Copyright Office, the White House, and the Government of Canada.
These actions demonstrate a proactive approach to shaping the future of music rights, ensuring that creators are fairly compensated and recognized, regardless of the tools they use. The alignment on AI registration policies is a tangible outcome of this sustained advocacy, providing clarity and a pathway forward for a new generation of musicians.
The Future of Music: Human and AI in Harmony
As AI technology continues to evolve, the distinction between purely AI-generated content and human-assisted creations will remain a critical discussion point. This new policy from ASCAP, BMI, and SOCAN sets a precedent for how the music industry can adapt to technological change while upholding its core values. It offers a framework for artists to explore new creative frontiers with AI, confident that their human contributions will be recognized and protected within the established system of music rights.
