From Billboard · David Israelite · · 1m 10s
Streaming Fraud Threatens Songwriters
AI music fraud steals royalties from songwriters as streaming services face legal pressure.
In brief
AI music fraud steals royalties from songwriters as streaming services face legal pressure. Streaming fraud by AI-generated music and fake streams is diverting royalties from songwriters, requiring industry action to address the issue. Originally reported by Billboard.
Streaming Fraud Threatens Songwriters
Streaming fraud by AI-generated music and fake streams is diverting royalties from songwriters.
AI Music Fraud Scale
Spotify and Deezer report billions of fraudulent streams with AI-generated music taking up to 85% of streams.
Legal Action Against Fraudsters
Michael Smith was sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing millions in royalties through AI-generated songs.
Criminal Money Laundering
Criminal gangs use fake Spotify streams to launder money and finance terrorism.
Spotify's Response
Spotify claims less than one percent of streams are artificial and they mitigate them before payouts.
NMPA's Solution Plan
The NMPA will hold a Songs Summit to create standards for combating AI-related fraud and streaming fraud.
Industry Call for Action
Songwriters and publishers need industry-wide standards to stop fraudsters from diverting royalties.
The headline
Streaming fraud by AI-generated music and fake streams is diverting royalties from songwriters, requiring industry action to address the issue.
