The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), an organisation representing the global recording industry,  has introduced a new set of principles to outline the eligibility of recordings that use AI in international music charts.

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“Official music charts do more than just track sales; they celebrate human artistry and endeavour,” said IFPI CEO Victoria Oakley.

“When properly licensed and authorised, AI provides exciting opportunities to enhance the creative toolkit.  These principles provide a pathway for that innovation, while ensuring we don’t include tracks generated by systems that are ripping off artists and their music.”

Tracks “developed with generative AI services” will be included if they meet the following criteria laid out by IFPI:

• Any generative AI services used to develop the recording are properly authorised and lawful.
• They are substantially human made.
• They do not raise manipulation concerns.
• They comply with applicable laws, including those relating to copyright, related rights, and personality rights.
• The making available of the recordings does not breach the terms of the generative AI service used.
• The use of generative AI services to develop the recording is appropriately signalled to consumers on downstream services (e.g. digital streaming platforms), in accordance with any applicable legislation and/or industry labelling standards.

This new framework is already implemented in some charts across Asia, the Middle East and South America. It hasn’t reached Australia yet, but IFPI is currently working to implement the framework with ARIA along with other international charts.

The legality of AI-generated music tools is currently being tested by international courts. On 31 July, AI music tool Suno was found in breach of copyright law by a German court for using and storing copyright-protected music without a license. The platform is also being sued in the US by groups including Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group for training its models on its music without licensing or permission.

IFPI is an organisation that represents the international recording industry. In Australia, it represents ARIA and the Australian wings of Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Concord Records.

More about IFPI’s new principles can be found here.