Musixmatch, the world’s largest lyrics and music data company, has signed AI licensing agreements with Sony Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, and Warner Chappell Music. These deals grant Musixmatch access to over 15 million musical works. With this catalog, the company plans to build ethically trained, non-generative AI tools for music professionals.
Ethical AI Tools That Respect Creators
Unlike many AI developers that use copyrighted content without permission, Musixmatch is taking a more responsible path. According to its October 15 statement, “The deals establish Musixmatch as the first company to partner with three top music publishers and comprehensively commit to building new ethically trained services and revenue streams using authorized catalogs.” These agreements operate on a trial basis, and publishers will receive compensation for catalog usage. CEO Massimo Ciociola emphasized, “Put simply: without songwriters, there can be no music industry.”
Musixmatch aims to develop tools that analyze lyrics and metadata using large language models. For example, studios could search for songs by theme or era. Marketers might explore trends like brand mentions in lyrics. Billboard reported that these tools will be “strictly gated and geared towards music business professionals.” Ciociola added, “These agreements will ensure the writers of today and tomorrow are compensated for their creative works, not only in today’s marketplace, but also in the dynamic, AI-powered world that is rapidly emerging.”
Industry Momentum Toward Responsible Licensing
Meanwhile, the broader music industry is pushing for ethical AI licensing. Companies like Stability AI, Suno, and Eleven Labs are reportedly negotiating deals with publishers. Sweden’s STIM has launched the first AI licensing system from a music rights society. However, Musixmatch clarified that its tools will not generate music. Instead, they will support business insights and discovery.
In summary, Musixmatch’s licensing deals represent a major shift toward ethical AI innovation in music. By prioritizing songwriter compensation and transparency, the company sets a new standard for collaboration between tech and creative industries. As AI continues to reshape the music landscape, Musixmatch’s approach could serve as a model for others to follow.
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