Japan's JASRAC to Deny Copyright for AI-Only Music

The Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers (JASRAC) has announced it will not recognize copyrights for music generated entirely by artificial intelligence. The organization clarified that it will only manage music where human creative input is demonstrable, excluding works created solely through AI prompts.

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Artificial intelligence itself does not have legal personality, so the creator is the author of the work that utilizes artificial intelligence.

JASRAC will require creators to submit proof of their direct contributions to the music, beyond any AI-generated elements, when registering songs. For songs with lyrics and music, if AI was used for only one part, JASRAC will manage only the human-created portion. This stance aligns with the Japanese government's view that AI itself cannot be an author, and that human creators are the copyright holders for AI-assisted works.

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If AI-generated content is mass-distributed, replacing copyrighted works, the cycle of creation will be destroyed, hindering the continuous development of culture and art.

The decision comes amid growing concerns in the music industry about the proliferation of AI-generated content. JASRAC has previously expressed worries that the mass distribution of AI-generated music could devalue existing works and harm the sustainable development of arts and culture. The move also follows incidents where AI was used to replicate the voices of famous voice actors without permission, sparking further debate about intellectual property and artistic integrity in the age of AI.

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The voice of a voice actor is not just a simple sound; it is a personality, a skill as a profession, and a property built over a long period of effort.