ElevenLabs, a U.S.-based AI audio startup, has introduced Eleven Music, a new platform for generating music from text prompts. The tool supports multiple languages and allows users to create both instrumental and vocal tracks, with detailed control over song arrangements.
To navigate the complex landscape of copyright in AI-generated content, ElevenLabs has established strategic partnerships with Merlin Network and Kobalt Music Group. These collaborations provide access to pre-cleared music for AI training, ensuring that the generated music is cleared for commercial use. This approach aims to offer a legally compliant solution for music creation within the AI sector. The music industry has been actively debating the legal and ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Competitors like Suno and Udio have faced lawsuits from organizations such as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for alleged unauthorized use of copyrighted material during AI model training. ElevenLabs' strategy, focusing on collaboration and licensing, may set a new industry standard for responsible AI development in music. Artists have the option to opt-in for their music to be used in AI training, with revenue-sharing models in place for fair compensation. A representative from Kobalt stated that these arrangements offer artists new revenue streams and safeguards against misuse, with terms comparable to other industry deals. This model allows artists to participate in the growth of AI-driven music creation while retaining control over their intellectual property. The U.S. Copyright Office has maintained that copyright protection requires human authorship, meaning purely AI-generated works may not be eligible for copyright. ElevenLabs' focus on licensing and artist collaboration positions its platform to navigate these evolving legal frameworks, offering creators and businesses greater legal certainty for utilizing AI-generated music.