Do You Really Own Music Created With Artificial Intelligence?

Do You Really Own Music Created With Artificial Intelligence?

I’ve written a lot about whether AI music will eventually be banned or restricted. This topic is evolving extremely fast right now, so we’ll have to wait and see when bigger changes start happening. But the bigger question is this:Do You Really Own Music Created With Artificial Intelligence?

This still seems unclear to many people, so I decided to look deeper into the subject and try to figure out who really owns AI-generated music.

Is the person writing the prompt the real creator?

Everyone knows that when I write instructions for a platform like Suno, it generates what I ask it to create. I’ve also heard a comparison that explains this quite well: it’s like ordering a pizza for delivery. You tell someone over the phone what toppings you want, and someone else makes the pizza for you. That alone does not make the customer a chef.

But the next question is even more interesting.

When songs are being created almost like products on an assembly line, can AI also generate a similar song, or even the same song, for someone else?

We simply haven’t used AI long enough to have a completely certain answer to that. But AI does not remember things in the same way humans do. People usually remember what kind of music they have made and what creative decisions they have taken.

So if AI creates the composition, the lyrics, the vocals, and the production, who is the actual creator?

Thaler v. Perlmutter and why people are talking about it

How many readers are familiar with the case Thaler v. Perlmutter? Probably not many, so let me explain it briefly.

Stephen Thaler attempted to obtain copyright protection for an image called A Recent Entrance to Paradise, which he claimed had been created entirely by artificial intelligence. The U.S. Copyright Office rejected the application because copyright law requires a human author.

The “Perlmutter” in the case refers to Shira Perlmutter, who serves as the head of the U.S. Copyright Office. In practice, the case was about Stephen Thaler challenging the Copyright Office’s decision in court.

The lower courts agreed with the Copyright Office, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case. In practice, this meant that the lower court rulings remained in effect.

Why this could also matter for music

This legal case was not about music but about AI-generated images. Still, it became extremely important for the entire AI industry.

For the first time, the courts clearly stated that content created independently by artificial intelligence, without meaningful human creative contribution, may not qualify for copyright protection.

This is exactly why many people are now asking how the same thinking will eventually affect AI music

If AI creates the composition, the lyrics, the vocals, and the production, what part of the work is considered human creativity?

If the legal system decides in the visual art world that fully AI-generated content without human creative contribution does not qualify for protection, it naturally raises the question of how the same issue will eventually be handled in music. Legal battles over this are already happening, and the entire industry is trying to establish rules for how artificial intelligence can be used.

AI-assisted work and human creative contribution

This does not mean AI cannot be used.

The U.S. Copyright Office has separately stated that AI-assisted works may qualify for protection if a human has made sufficiently creative decisions. Simply writing a prompt is generally not enough.

This guideline was already established in 2025, so before dismissing the topic completely, it’s worth looking into what is currently happening around the world and thinking about what kinds of changes this could still bring.

The role of humans may become more important in the future

I believe that in the future, the most important question may no longer be whether AI was used in music production.

The bigger question could become how much a human was actually involved in creating the music

I’ve spoken many times about how AI musicians should seriously consider hiring a producer or a skilled audio engineer to make necessary changes and improvements to AI-generated tracks.

I’ve noticed that whenever I suggest hiring a producer, I sometimes get called some fairly creative names. But this issue is going to become increasingly important in the near future, and this is not just my personal opinion.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with creating a so-called demo using AI and then properly rebuilding and producing the song afterward. With this kind of workflow, AI music is on much safer ground for the future.

And maybe it’s finally time to ask whether the cheap golden age of AI music is slowly coming to an end.

This is no longer just speculation

Many people probably still think none of this will really change anything and that these are simply my personal opinions.

But these are not just rumors or random social media discussions anymore.

Information is already available from sources such as:

• Reuters

• U.S. Copyright Office guidelines

• News related to Spotify and AI music

• AI policies from music distributors themselves

Or you can simply search Google for:

• Supreme Court case

• AI copyright

• AI lawsuits

Final thoughts

If I had to summarize all of this briefly, I would say that these first rejected releases and restrictions are only the beginning.

If I had to summarize all of this briefly, I would say that these first rejected releases and restrictions are only the beginning.

It will probably upset many people, but isn’t it still better if the playing field is fair for everyone?

Because if rules are not created now, copyright problems are eventually going to explode in everyone’s face sooner or later.

If you haven’t read the previous post yet, go check it out:AI Music Releases Are Being Tightened Aggressively

PS. Check out my shop page  you'll find T-shirts and samples, straight from the studio.

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The discussion around AI music is no longer only about sound quality. More and more attention is now shifting toward copyright, ownership, and the role of human creative work.

FAQ AI Music Mixing

What is AI music mixing?

AI music mixing refers to the process of mixing songs that were generated or partially created using artificial intelligence tools such as Suno, Udio, or other AI music platforms. The goal is to turn AI-generated material into a balanced and professional sounding track.

Why do AI-generated songs sometimes sound unbalanced?

AI-generated instruments often do not follow the natural energy distribution used in traditional music production. Because of this, a mix may sound good in the studio but lose its balance when played on different speakers, headphones, or smaller sound systems.

Can AI music be professionally mixed?

Yes. With proper production techniques such as replacing certain AI instruments, rebuilding parts of the arrangement, and adjusting the stereo image AI-generated music can reach professional release quality.

About the Author

Nicolas Linnala

Recording engineer & producer

Owner of Silent Sound Studio

Nicolas works with both traditional artists and AI-generated music, helping musicians transform rough ideas into finished productions and professional mixes.

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