Music groups demand consent and pay in AI deals

A coalition of more than 30 major music industry organizations representing artists, songwriters, and managers issued a public warning on Monday, June 22, 2026, demanding that record labels and publishers stop locking creators into artificial intelligence licensing deals without their meaningful consent, fair pay, or transparency.

The open letter, coordinated by the European Music Managers Alliance, accuses major music companies of negotiating sweeping AI agreements that exploit creators' rights. According to the coalition, artists and songwriters with existing contracts are receiving letters informing them they will be opted into AI-related uses by default. Those signing new deals are reportedly presented with AI rights clauses as a non-negotiable standard term, often requiring them to surrender moral, image, and personality rights.

The letter outlines three core principles it says must be foundational to any AI agreement: consent and control, fair compensation, and clarity and transparency. It demands that creators have the explicit right to refuse the use of their work, voice, or likeness in AI systems; that they receive a clear, fair share of any revenue generated; and that...