India’s Music Giants Demand AI Transparency To Safeguard Creative Rights

In a powerful call to action, the Indian music industry has urged the government to introduce strict transparency norms for generative artificial intelligence models. The demand comes amid growing concerns that AI systems are ingesting copyrighted music without consent, threatening the livelihoods of artists, composers, and producers. The appeal was made during the All About Music conference held in Mumbai, where industry leaders emphasized the urgent need for regulatory intervention to protect intellectual property in the age of machine learning.

With the music industry now valued at ₹3,500 crore and projected to grow to ₹10,000 crore, stakeholders believe that unchecked AI usage could derail this momentum unless creators are shielded from unauthorized exploitation.

Key Takeaways From The Industry’s Appeal

- The Indian Music Industry (IMI) has called for mandatory disclosures whenever generative AI models use copyrighted content during training.
- IMI Chairman Vikram Mehra highlighted the risk of creators losing control over their work as AI becomes more prevalent in content creation.
- The industry is pushing for legal safeguards to prevent platforms from exploiting safe harbour provisions to avoid accountability.
- A new digital licensing marketplace is being developed to streamline public performance rights and improve compliance.

Why The Music Industry Is Sounding The Alarm

Generative AI models, which can compose music, mimic voices, and remix existing tracks, often rely on vast datasets that include copyrighted material. Without transparency, creators have no way of knowing whether their work has been used, let alone receiving compensation.

The IMI’s proposal includes:

- Requiring AI developers to disclose the sources of training data
- Establishing a registry of copyrighted works used in AI training
- Creating a compensation framework for rights holders
- Mandating opt-in consent for use of protected content

These measures aim to restore balance between innovation and ownership, ensuring that technology does not override the rights of creators.

The Legal Loophole That Needs Closing

One of the major concerns raised by the industry is the misuse of safe harbour protections by large interactive platforms, especially short-form video apps. These platforms often claim immunity from liability for user-generated content, even when it includes copyrighted music.

Industry leaders argue that:

- Platforms should be held accountable for content that uses AI-generated music based on copyrighted works
- The safe harbour clause should be revised to reflect the realities of AI-driven content creation
- Licensing frameworks must evolve to include AI-generated outputs

Without these changes, creators risk losing revenue and control over their work, while platforms continue to profit from unlicensed usage.

A New Marketplace For Licensing Rights

To address the complexity of public performance licensing, IMI announced the launch of a digital marketplace that will allow users to obtain a single license from multiple suppliers. This initiative is expected to:

- Simplify the licensing process for event organizers and businesses
- Improve compliance and reduce legal disputes
- Boost revenue for rights holders through streamlined access

The marketplace will also serve as a model for future licensing of AI-generated content, offering a transparent and efficient solution for rights management.

Looking Ahead: A Crossroads For Creativity And Technology

The Indian music industry’s push for AI transparency is part of a global movement to redefine copyright in the digital age. With similar lawsuits and interventions underway in the US and Europe, India’s stance could influence international norms.

Industry leaders believe that:

- AI should be a tool for creativity, not a threat to it
- Regulation must evolve to protect human expression in the face of machine replication
- Collaboration between tech companies, policymakers, and creators is essential for sustainable innovation

As AI continues to reshape the entertainment landscape, the music industry’s call for transparency may be the first note in a much larger symphony of reform.

Sources: Indian Express, Trademark Lawyer Magazine, National Law Review