Music is a universal language that transcends borders, cultures, and generations. In today's globalized world, where music is shared and distributed at lightning speed, intellectual property (IP) plays a vital role in fostering creativity and innovation. It supports the growth of the music industry and drives the ongoing evolution of musical expression around the world. Today, the virtual musician Yisi Wen will ask AI some insightful questions about IP and music. Let's see how AI responds!

WEN: Hey AI! Are you familiar with World IP Day? This year's theme is really cool! Do you know why the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) chose it?

AI: Of course I do! The theme of this year's World IP Day is "IP and Music: Feel the beat of IP." It highlights how creativity and innovation, backed by IP, help maintain a thriving music scene that benefits everyone, everywhere. This year's World IP Day invites people to explore how IP and innovation policies empower creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs to bring fresh ideas to the music industry, safeguarding the work of songwriters, composers, performers, and all those who shape the music that moves us.

WEN: That's fascinating! I'm also curious about the role of IP in the music industry. How do musicians protect their creations? And how can they receive royalties from their works?

AI: Good question! IP plays a pivotal role in the music industry. First, it protects the copyright of musical works, recordings, and performances. It's like putting a "protective suit" on the creators' works, allowing them to control how their works are used and to earn income. Creators need to ensure their works are properly registered with collective management organizations who track music usage and distribute collected royalties proportionally to creators. They can also protect their names and logos through trademarks. This not only helps protect the creators' commercial interests but also enhances fan engagement and increases revenue through merchandise sales. Although patent is not often associated with music, technological innovation has made significant contributions in many areas of the music industry, and has completely changed the way we access and listen to music.

WEN: I see! So if someone wants to use my music works for commercial purposes, what kind of licenses would they need?

AI: When using music for commercial purposes, people typically need two main types of licenses. One is the reproduction license, which is the right to make and distribute copies of the music. The other is the performance license, which covers live performances, background music, and streaming on platforms. If the music is performed live (without using a recorded song), they would need a license from the creators (or publishers), not the record label. Usually, collective management organizations grant these licenses on behalf of creators, performers, and record labels and collect royalties for their use.

WEN: AI and music seem to be the focus of many discussions lately. What opportunities and challenges does AI bring to the music industry? And how can IP protection keep up in this new era?

AI: AI is reshaping the music industry in profound ways, enabling new forms of music creation. It empowers artists with tools for faster production, personalized sound design, and data-driven insights into audience preferences. It also enhances music recommendation systems and aids in restoration and remastering of old recordings. However, one of the core concerns is authorship - when AI creates a piece of music, who holds the rights? There's also the risk of copyright infringement as AI systems trained on vast datasets might unknowingly replicate existing works.

To protect IP in this evolving field, it's crucial to update legal frameworks. Clear policies must define the ownership and licensing of AI-generated works. Transparency in training data and attribution mechanisms is also essential. Additionally, digital rights management technologies and blockchain-based copyright registries can help ensure provenance, enforce licensing terms, and combat unauthorized use.

(Part of AI training materials are sourced from WIPO)