Universal Music Group chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge sat down with Janice Min, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of The Ankler, as part of the Greater Together LA summit yesterday (May 21). During the keynote conversation, Grainge discussed UMG’s new licensing deal with Spotify that will allow fans to create AI models and remixes of songs from participating artists and songwriters signed to UMG.
The session, titled “Driving innovation through the Power of Artistry,” took place at NYA Studios in Hollywood. The same day in New York City, Spotify hosted its Investor Day presentation, where the streaming giant unveiled the details of that new deal with UMG. Spotify stated the new model will open up additional revenue streams for artists on top of what they already earn via the platform.
Related
How AI Rights Are Changing Record Contracts — and Why Music Attorneys Are Pushing Back
'The Breakfast Club' to Stream Live Daily, Commercial-Free on Netflix: 'The Future Belongs to Those Who Can See What's Possible'
Woman Accused of Attempting to Murder Rihanna to Face Mental Health Competency Test
“Name and likeness, voice, are all opt-in,” Grainge told Min. “They’re critical. That’s religion. So it’s our job, along with the platform, to explain what the technology is and what provisions the technology gives. I think it’s about the power of possibility. And for the super fans, it will be completely interactive.”
The new product will become available to premium users as a paid add-on, with an official launch date not yet announced. The announcement said that “artists and rightsholders will choose if and how to participate to ensure the use of AI tools aligns with the values of the people behind the music.” The announcement did not include the names of any artists who have opted in as of yet.
Last fall, Spotify announced it was partnering with UMG, Sony Music Group, Warner Music Group, Believe and Merlin to create “artist-first” AI music tools. Spotify shared at the time it started building a state-of-the-art generative AI research lab and product team. “The speed of change is quicker than ever before,” Grainge continued in the keynote. “We make deals that are win-win. And the people who you can’t make deals with are never going to respect the business, or the creativity, or the investment.”
In the age of AI, questions around who truly owns name and likeness rights are beginning to arise.
Related
NO FAKES Act Reintroduced Again — This Time With Additional Support From Spotify and Getty
In April, Taylor Swift applied for trademarks on the sound of her voice in what appears to be aimed at protecting her likeness from AI deepfakes. The Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate on Wednesday (May 20) with support from all three major music companies, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Recording Academy, the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) and Spotify. The bill aims to establish federal rights around likeness for individuals portrayed in digital deepfakes and was first introduced back in 2024.
“I’ve been through so many transformations in streaming, ad-funded streaming, subscription, downloads, CD,” Grainge said during his keynote. “I think that the most important thing that we can do is respect human creativity. And partner with people that do exactly the same.”
Hence then, the article about lucian grainge chats new spotify partnership ai likeness rights at greater together la keynote was published today ( ) and is available on billboard ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Lucian Grainge Chats New Spotify Partnership, AI & Likeness Rights at Greater Together LA Keynote )
Also on site :