Headlines

YouTube’s likeness-detection technology has officially launched 

YouTube revealed on Tuesday that its likeness-detection technology has officially rolled out to eligible creators in the YouTube Partner Program, following a pilot phase. The technology allows creators to request the removal of AI-generated content that uses their likeness. YouTube’s detection technology identifies and manages AI-generated content featuring the likeness of creators, such as their face and voice.

Source: YouTube’s likeness-detection technology has officially launched | TechCrunch

New Report Urges Publishers to Capitalize on Hidden Strengths

While the use of various digital technologies has drained away many readers, the survey found that 60% of U.S. consumers would like to read more books, and a similar percentage reported that they devote their full attention to reading when they open a book. In both instances, book reading was the only media activity that garnered such a favorable response from the majority of consumers.

Source: New Report Urges Publishers to Capitalize on Hidden Strengths

Spotify holds a patent for tech that can generate song mashups

According to the document, the technology would work by first separating tracks into their component parts – vocals and instrumentals – then “adding the vocal component” of “at least one music track to at least a select segment of the base music track.” In other words, Spotify’s algorithm could automatically layer the singing from one song over the backing track of a completely different song, though users would still control the creative choices.

Source: Spotify holds a patent for tech that can generate song mashups

Suno and Udio face another lawsuit from indie artists over AI training

The complaints, each spanning roughly 100 pages, were filed by plaintiffs including indie R&B band Attack the Sound, father-son songwriting duo Stan and James Burjek, and members of Chicago group Directrix. They also accused the AI firms of flooding the market with substitute tracks that decrease licensing opportunities. The lawsuits join earlier legal actions from major record labels and country musician Tony Justice targeting Suno and Udio.

Source: Suno and Udio face another lawsuit from indie artists over AI training, echoing major labels’ stream-ripping allegations

Milk & Honey Launches Label With Songwriter-Friendly Royalty Model

The new Los Angeles-based label will focus on pop and dance music but differs from most record companies in that it will pay royalty points — as high as double digits — to songwriters who contribute songs to projects. “Bring us your songs that you might have sent to another label where you wouldn’t be given points. We want to be in business with you” said Milk & Honey’s president/founder Lucas Keller in a statement. The royalty will come out of Milk & Honey’s revenue share.

Source: Milk & Honey Launches Label With Songwriter-Friendly Royalty Model: ‘Bring Us Your Songs’

AI Contract Platform Clearnote Aims to End Deal Delays: ‘The System Is Outdated’

Clearnote, which has just launched in beta, uses an AI-guided, TurboTax-style questionnaire covering royalties and rights and then automatically generates the correct agreement with clauses tailored to the user’s needs. Users can also load in artist and producer profiles and let Clearnote fill in more than a dozen contract fields with one click.

Source: AI Contract Platform Clearnote Aims to End Deal Delays: ‘The System Is Outdated’

Google AI Overviews ‘leading to affiliate revenue drop of 20-40% at some publishers’

Google’s AI Overviews are reducing traffic to review content and buyers’ guides by up to 50%, according to an affiliate marketing specialist. Paul Cunliffe, who works with publishers on their affiliate channels, described the arrival of AI Overviews as a “real challenge at the moment in the affiliate space”. Publishers can earn affiliate revenue by linking to products and services, taking a commission when readers make a purchase by clicking through a link.

Source: Google AI Overviews ‘leading to affiliate revenue drop of 20-40% at some publishers’

Music publishers ink AI licensing deals with lyrics and music data company Musixmatch

Lyrics and music data company Musixmatch says it has signed AI licensing deals with the publishing arms of all three major music companies. The deals with Sony Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group and Warner Chappell Music give Musixmatch access to catalogs of over 15 million musical works, with which the company plans to develop new analytical tools and “non-generative AI services.”

Source: Major music publishers ink AI licensing deals with lyrics and music data company Musixmatch

SAG-AFTRA and Agents Applaud Fixes to Open AI’s Sora 2 After Outcry

OpenAI appears to have calmed fears around Sora 2, winning over SAG-AFTRA, CAA, UTA and actor Bryan Cranston with new guardrails on the platform to protect actors’ voices and likenesses. Cranston was among those who raised concerns when the initial launch of the AI video platform allowed users to create his image without his permission. In a statement issued by the actors’ union on Monday, Cranston thanked OpenAI for updating Sora 2 to add new protections.

Source: Bryan Cranston, SAG-AFTRA and Agents Applaud Fixes to Open AI’s Sora 2 After Outcry

Why digital natives and data science are key to embracing the creator economy

Social platforms and the creator economy have been re-writing the rules of audience engagement for some time now. Together, they have accelerated the fragmentation of entertainment and made niche the new mainstream. However, the ability to tell stories is only one component of success. In fact, the most adept creators marry storytelling and data science together. This dual role has emerged as much out of necessity as it has because of the features social platforms offer.

Source: Why digital natives and data science are key to embracing the creator economy

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