AI singers make copyright law revision urgent

Virtual singers created using artificial intelligence technologies can simulate famous singers in a very accurate way, using their styles and voices to sing any song the users want them to perform.

Yet such AI performers bring their own set of legal problems. For example, whether the behaviors of the platforms profiting from the services constitute infringements on the intellectual property rights of the original singers, lyricists and composers, as well as the original performers' image rights.

And whether the AI platform companies are entitled to use, for commercial purposes, the singers' personal vocal and timbre models and singing styles, which are unique to each singer and defining features of them?

Before these questions are properly resolved, there is already software on the AI platforms that enables users to choose the voices and singing styles of many star singers as well as their images with which the users can "stage" a concert in cyberspace in which the AI singers they create can perform songs at their requests.

On April 11, the Cyberspace Administration of China released the draft Administrative Measures for Generative AI Services to solicit public opinion. This is undoubtedly a meaningful start for promoting the healthy development and standardized application of the generative AI technologies.

In the draft regulations the legal basis clearly listed is the Network Security Law, Data Security Law and Personal Information Protection Law. After the draft regulations are finalized and implemented, they will help better define the rights and interests, as well as liabilities and obligations, of the AI platform companies and the original intellectual property rights owners of the songs, pictures, films, literature works and other intellectual products from which the AI companies can seek profits through "re-creation".

BEIJING NEWS