AI chat platforms can generate entire song lyrics, raising licensing and legal implications.
Integrating lyrics into automotive entertainment systems enhances the in-car experience for passengers.
Deep dives
The Role of Lyrics in Future Technological Implementations
Lyrics have been used in new and unexpected ways, particularly in recent years. The major AI chat platforms can generate entire song lyrics upon request and this raises questions about licensing and legal implications. Lyrics are now being integrated into automotive entertainment systems, providing an immersive and enjoyable experience for passengers. Synchronized lyrics, translations, and lyric IQ data are all being explored to enhance the in-car entertainment and language learning experiences.
The Challenges of Licensing Lyrics in AI-powered Platforms
Licensing lyrics in AI-powered platforms poses challenges in terms of training AI models and generating lyrics in the style of specific artists. Displaying lyrics can be easily licensed, but training AI models using copyrighted material and generating lyrics that resemble existing artists' works requires individual approvals and cooperation from rights holders. The question of how to divide licensing fees among millions of lyrics used for training purposes remains unsolved. Additionally, issues regarding name, image, and likeness rights, along with moral rights, further complicate the licensing process.
The Need for Licensing Frameworks and Revenue Flow for Lyrics
While the delivery and display of lyrics can be licensed, there is a need for a framework that allows revenue flow in AI-powered platforms. The licensing process should address not only the delivery of lyrics, but also the interpretation and generative aspects of AI. Determining how to compensate rights holders for the use of their copyrighted works in AI-generated lyrics, especially when it comes to generative AI models producing lyrics in the style of specific artists, requires broad industry cooperation and possibly legislative solutions.
Ep. 138: Lyrics are now everywhere - in our streaming apps, on short form social media, and in the now ubiquitous lyric video. So how might lyrics be used in the future in ways we may not have thought of? Joe Sparrow is joined by Darryl Ballantyne, founder & CEO of LyricFind, one of the oldest companies to license lyrics on behalf of rightsholders to various digital services, who chats about the how lyrics will be used in autonomous vehicles – and by various generative AI tools. Are these platforms licensing them and what are the wider legal implications if someone, for instance, asks an AI to create a new set of lyrics in the style of U2 or "Penny Lane"? (He also explains how Hanson’s “Mmm-Bop” is actually a very tragic song if you think about the lyrics...)