Apr 13, 2024 22:55:00

SAG-AFTRA, the actors' union, reaches tentative agreement with major record companies to protect recordings from AI

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), a labor union representing about 160,000 actors and actresses, announced that it has signed a tentative multi-year contract with major record companies to protect singers and artists from the use of AI in the music industry.

SAG-AFTRA, Record Labels Reach Tentative Sound Recordings Agreement | SAG-AFTRA
https://www.sagaftra.org/sag-aftra-record-labels-reach-tentative-sound-recordings-agreement

SAG-AFTRA union secures AI protections for artists in deal with major record labels | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/sag-aftra-union-secures-ai-protections-artists-deal-with-major-record-labels-2024-04-12/

Sag-Aftra, major record labels reach tentative deal for AI protections in sound recordings | The Drum
https://www.thedrum.com/news/2024/04/12/sag-aftra-major-record-labels-reach-tentative-deal-ai-protections-sound-recordings

The SAG-AFTRA Executive Committee unanimously reached a tentative agreement with the major record companies on recording fair practices on April 10, 2024, which will now be sent to the union membership for ratification.

The contract period is from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2026, and includes Warner Music, Sony Music, Universal Music, Disney Music, and others.

'SAG-AFTRA and the major record companies have reached a groundbreaking agreement on the use of AI in the music industry that includes the first collective bargaining guardrails to ensure singers and artists are treated ethically and responsible,' said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national executive director and chief negotiator for SAG-AFTRA. 'This demonstrates our unwavering, mutual commitment to working together to protect the rights, honor and creative freedom of SAG-AFTRA members.'

The 'AI guardrails' will go into effect immediately upon ratification. In addition, the terms 'singer,' 'artist,' and 'royalty artist' are defined in the agreement to refer only to humans, and minimum compensation requirements and specific details of intended uses must be explicitly agreed upon before a recording using a digital reproduction of an artist's voice can be released.

Crabtree-Ireland added, 'SAG-AFTRA is driven by the belief that while technology enhances the creative process, the essence of music must always be rooted in authentic human expression and experience. We look forward to working with our partners in the music industry to foster an environment where innovation helps enhance, not detract from, artists' work in creating a rich cultural landscape.'

The record companies' negotiating committee said in a statement, 'We are pleased to continue our strong partnership with SAG-AFTRA as we enter a new era of rapid change for music and artists. We embrace new opportunities, face common challenges and chart a path to success together, strengthened by our shared values and commitment to human artistry.'