AI misuse

Photo Credit: Immo Wegmann

The AIMP applauds growing legislative efforts at the federal and state levels to protect copyright owners from unauthorized AI use. But how much of it will stick?

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) is raising awareness surrounding two new legislative efforts designed to hold AI companies accountable for unauthorized use of copyrighted works in training artificial intelligence (AI) models.

At the federal level, Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have introduced the AI Accountability and Personal Data Protection Act, bipartisan legislation that would bar AI companies from exploiting copyrighted works without permission.

This bill would create a federal right for individuals to sue companies that use their personal data or creative output without affirmative consent and impose clear penalties for violations. Among other provisions, the legislation requires transparency around third-party data access and strengthens recourse for artists and rights holders whose work has been misappropriated by AI developers.

Meanwhile, in California, Assembly Bill 412—the AI Copyright Transparency Act—would give copyright owners the right to request a detailed list of their materials used to train a generative AI model. Developers must respond within seven days; each day of noncompliance would constitute a separate violation. This bill represents a first-of-its-kind transparency mechanism that empowers creators to track if and how their works have been used in AI training datasets.

“AIMP supports both of these important bills and the growing recognition by lawmakers that creators’ rights must be protected in the rapidly evolving AI landscape,” said Frank Handy, AIMP National Chair. “We’ve long called for transparency, accountability, and fairness in rights management—and these proposals are essential first steps in building the infrastructure to support that.”

Independent publishers face unique challenges in navigating attribution, licensing, and revenue tracking as AI continues to transform the music and media industries.

Founded in 1977, the Association of Independent Music Publishers is the only national nonprofit organization focused exclusively on the needs of independent music publishers. AIMP provides real-time education, networking, and advocacy for the companies that manage song rights, negotiate licenses, and ensure that songwriters get paid.