You can use AI as a tool in music you own or have cleared — but you cannot distribute AI music trained on copyrighted recordings without a licence, and you cannot release AI that mimics a real artist's voice, name, or likeness. AI doesn't change the core rule of distribution: you're responsible for every right in what you deliver. Here's what's allowed and what isn't, in plain terms.
It's the AI section of our content and rights policy, expanded.
What's not allowed
- AI trained on copyrighted music without a licence. If a track is made wholly or mainly by an AI model built on other people's recordings without permission, it can't be distributed.
- AI that imitates a real artist. Cloning a real person's voice, or using their name, image, or likeness, is prohibited — even as a "tribute". A fake vocal of a famous singer is not distributable.
What is allowed
AI as a creative tool on material you own or have cleared is fine. For example:
- Using AI to help write, arrange, or generate ideas for a song you finish and own.
- AI-assisted mixing, mastering, stem separation, or noise cleanup on your own recording.
- AI-generated instrumental elements that don't copy a protected recording or a real artist.
The test is simple: if you'd be cleared to distribute the track without AI, using AI as a tool doesn't change that.
You own the responsibility
However you made a track, you must hold all the rights in the final result. "The AI generated it" is not a defence in a rights dispute — if a model produced something that infringes, the release is still yours to answer for. If you're unsure whether your inputs were clean, treat the output as uncleared. This is the same principle behind owning every right you distribute — see music copyright in India.
A quick guide
| Scenario | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| AI helps you write a song you finish and own | Yes |
| AI mastering or cleanup on your own recording | Yes |
| AI model trained on copyrighted tracks, no licence | No |
| AI voice clone of a famous singer | No |
| Using a real artist's name or likeness without permission | No |
Keep your metadata honest about what you made, too — see metadata best practices. And if your track uses any borrowed material alongside AI, clear it as described in cover songs, remixes, and samples.