Tech Giants Accused of the Largest Intellectual Property Theft in History
The relationship between artificial intelligence and music has taken a new turn with allegations that some of the world’s biggest tech companies have engaged in widespread copyright infringement. According to a recent investigation by the International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP), companies including Google, Microsoft, Meta, OpenAI, and X have been accused of illegally scraping millions of copyrighted songs to train their AI models.
The Scope of the Allegations
The ICMP compiled evidence over a two-year investigation, drawing from open-source repositories, leaked documents, research papers, and input from AI experts. Their findings suggest that millions of songs ranging from global icons like The Beatles, Mariah Carey, and Beyoncé to countless other artists have been used without authorization.
The material allegedly came from platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, and GitHub, where music was collected and fed into large-scale AI training datasets. The ICMP describes this as a global issue, pointing to tens of millions of infringements occurring daily.
AI Models Under Scrutiny
Several well-known AI systems are at the center of the claims. Meta’s Llama 3 is said to have trained on protected lyrics and music from artists such as Lorde, Alicia Keys, and Ed Sheeran. OpenAI Jukebox allegedly drew from works by Elton John, Drake, and Madonna. Microsoft’s Copilot and Google’s Gemini are also reported to have incorporated music scraped from licensed platforms.
The ICMP asserts that despite public claims from these companies that copyrighted content was not used, their investigation uncovered evidence to the contrary.
Photo Credit: Tim Mosenfelder/WireImage
Why It Matters for Music Rights
If the allegations hold true, this represents what ICMP calls the largest intellectual property theft in human history. Beyond the immediate legal implications, the findings highlight broader concerns around how AI is developed and the extent to which artists’ rights are being overlooked in the process.
The music industry has long been cautious about the role of AI in creative production. While some view the technology as a powerful tool for new forms of expression, the unlicensed use of copyrighted works raises significant challenges for publishers, songwriters, and performers.
The Wider Debate on AI and Copyright
This investigation arrives at a time when the music world is actively debating AI’s role in shaping the future of creativity. Earlier this year, composer Max Richter described the use of copyrighted music in training datasets as unfair and unworkable for artists. Similarly, platforms like SoundCloud have publicly clarified their position, emphasizing that they do not use artist content for AI training.
With AI continuing to evolve at a rapid pace, the question of how to regulate its relationship with copyrighted works remains unresolved. For now, the ICMP’s findings add urgency to an already pressing conversation about intellectual property in the digital age.
What Happens Next
The ICMP is expected to put mounting pressure on governments and regulators to intervene. Industry leaders have already been calling for stronger protections to ensure that copyrighted works cannot be taken without proper licensing. Lawsuits and legislative proposals may soon follow, aimed at setting clearer boundaries for how AI companies source their training material.
The outcome could reshape the way generative AI systems are built in the future. If stricter enforcement is introduced, companies may be required to strike licensing agreements with music publishers before using copyrighted material, much like streaming services do today. Until then, the dispute remains a defining moment for both the music industry and the AI sector, raising questions about fairness, transparency, and accountability in the digital era.
Let’s Collaborate!
Need help building the tone for your production? Hit us up – the Rareform Audio team would love to help you create the perfect soundtrack that speaks to your audience and enhances the power of your visual storytelling to new heights!
Rareform Highlights
Join our Spotify Playlist and vibe with us! Featuring an array of tunes our team has been listening to.
