Under current laws (including the US Copyright Office and global standards), AI cannot be an author. Only works created by human beings are eligible for copyright protection. This means if a song is 100% AI-generated, it effectively belongs to the public domain and cannot generate publishing royalties. However, if a human uses AI as a tool—modifying the lyrics, arranging the composition, or providing significant creative input—the human-created portions may be protected.
1. The “Human Authorship” Requirement
To “publish” a song and collect royalties, you must first own the copyright. The legal landscape for AI is currently split into three categories:
- 100% AI-Generated: You prompt a tool (like Suno or Udio) to make a song. You do not change a single note or lyric. Status: Generally uncopyrightable. You cannot collect publishing royalties because there is no “human author.”
- AI-Assisted (The “Tool” Model): You write the lyrics and melody, but use AI for the “Master” recording or to polish the arrangement. Status: The lyrics and melody (Publishing) are copyrightable by you. The AI-generated recording (Master) may have limited or no protection.
- Human-Modified AI: You generate an AI base but then significantly rewrite the lyrics, re-record the vocals, and change the structure. Status: Most likely copyrightable as a “derivative work.”
2. The Publishing Problem: No Copyright, No Check
If you cannot copyright a song, you cannot register it with a PRO (ASCAP, BMI, PRS, etc.) or a Publishing Administrator.
| Feature | Human-Written Song | Pure AI-Generated Song |
| Copyright Protection | Full (70 years after death) | None (Public Domain) |
| Publishing Royalties | Performance & Mechanical | None |
| Sync Potential | High (Clear ownership) | Low (Legal risk for supervisors) |
| Distribution | Allowed | Often banned or flagged by DSPs |
3. The “Distribution Trap”: Uploading AI is Not the Same as Owning It
Many artists are flooding Spotify with AI-generated tracks using distributors like DistroKid or TuneCore. While the distributor might take your money and put the song live, you are entering a financial danger zone:
- Zero Legal Teeth: If a major brand uses your 100% AI song in a commercial, you cannot sue them for copyright infringement because you don’t own the “composition.”
- The Streaming Purge: Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music are actively removing “low-quality” or “pure AI” content. If your catalog is deleted, your distributor has no power to get it back.
- Missing Royalties: Since you can’t register the publishing, you are losing 50% of the stream’s value (the songwriting side) immediately.
4. Why Sync Supervisors Avoid “Pure AI”
In the world of TV and Film, the Chain of Title is everything. A Music Supervisor needs to know exactly who owns the song to sign a license.
- If they find out a song was AI-generated, they will likely kill the deal to avoid the risk of the AI company (like Suno) or the original artists used to train the AI suing them later.
- Without a human publisher to “indemnify” (protect) them, you are a liability, not an asset.
5. How Audiobulb Protects the “Human” Creator
At Audiobulb, we stay ahead of the technology curve to ensure human creators aren’t replaced or robbed.
- Sync Pitching for Human Talent: We focus on representing “Human-Plus” creators—artists who use technology but maintain the soul and ownership of their work. We help you prove your Chain of Title to music supervisors.
- 0% Commission Administration: For your human-authored works, we charge a flat $19.99/year. We register your songs globally (The MLC, PRS, IPRS) so your “human share” is never lost.
- Active Infringement Tracking: If an AI model “scrapes” your human-written music to train its software without your permission, our technology helps track and flag these uses so you can protect your intellectual property.
Summary
AI is a powerful tool, but it is not a songwriter. To make money in the music business, you must provide the “Human Spark” that the law requires for copyright. Use AI to brainstorm, but ensure your final publishing is human-led. Without a clear human copyright and a professional administrator like Audiobulb, your AI music is just “noise” that belongs to everyone—and pays you nothing.
Your Next Step: Are you using AI in your creative process and want to make sure your rights are protected? Join Audiobulb for $19.99/year to access our Sync Pitching Service and ensure your human-authored compositions are registered and royalty-ready.