Artificial intelligence is changing how music is created. Today, you can type a few words into a program and get a beat, a melody or full lyrics within seconds. Some artists use AI as a tool. Others let it do most of the work. This new wave of technology brings exciting possibilities — but it also raises a big legal question: Who owns a new song created in this way?
If you are using AI to make music, it is not just about creativity anymore. There are other things to consider, like copyright, ownership and whether your track is legally yours. You might assume that if you create something with a tool, you own it. But with AI, there is more to consider.
What the law does not clearly say (yet)
The law is still catching up to technology. In the U.S., copyright law only protects work created by humans. That means if an AI generates a song without much human input, it might not be eligible for protection at all. If you plan to sell, license or perform that music publicly, this can be a problem.
If you helped guide the AI, maybe by writing part of the lyrics, shaping the melody or tweaking the final mix, then you may have a better case for copyright. But how much input is enough? Currently, there is no clear line, but there are a few things to consider:
- Who contributed what? If you only pressed a button, your legal claim might be weak.
- Did you modify the result? Editing the AI’s output may give you stronger rights.
- What platform did you use? Some AI tools claim ownership or partial rights to anything you create.
As more creators use AI, these issues will become even more important. Record labels, producers and artists all need to understand where they stand legally.
In the end, AI might help you make your next hit, but owning that hit is a different story. If you are using AI in your creative process, talking to an entertainment legal professional is a smart move. They can guide you and help you to avoid problems down the line.