Key Points
- Bandcamp will not allow music generated wholly or substantially by AI.
- The policy also bans AI tools used to impersonate other artists or styles.
- AI‑generated songs have recently topped mainstream charts on other platforms.
- Major record labels are suing AI music companies over alleged copyright misuse.
- AI music firm Suno secured a $2.4 billion valuation despite legal challenges.
- Bandcamp earns revenue from a cut of artist sales, not streaming royalties.
- The ban aims to keep fans confident that Bandcamp content is human‑created.
Bandcamp’s New Policy
Bandcamp disclosed on Reddit that it will no longer allow music or audio that is generated wholly or in substantial part by artificial intelligence. The platform also prohibits the use of AI tools to impersonate other artists or mimic their styles. The company explained that the rule is intended to keep fans confident that the music they discover on Bandcamp is created by human musicians.
Why the Ban Matters
AI music generators such as Suno have become sophisticated enough to produce tracks that sound indistinguishable from human‑made recordings. Songs created with these tools have reached mainstream charts on services like Spotify and Billboard. A notable example involved a Mississippi resident who used Suno to turn poetry into a viral R&B track, creating an AI persona that attracted record‑deal offers.
Legal Uncertainty Around AI Music
The legality of AI‑generated music remains unsettled. Major labels, including Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group, have sued Suno, alleging that the company trained its AI on copyrighted material without permission. In a separate case, a judge ruled that Anthropic could use illegally downloaded books to train its models, describing the act of pirating the books as unlawful, though the penalty was modest relative to the company’s valuation.
Industry Context and Reactions
Despite legal challenges, AI music firms continue to attract significant investment. Suno raised a Series C round valued at $2.4 billion, led by Menlo Ventures with participation from Hallwood Media, the firm behind the AI persona mentioned earlier. Bandcamp’s stance contrasts with platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, which pay artists per stream. Bandcamp generates revenue by taking a cut of artists’ sales of digital downloads and physical merchandise, positioning itself as an artist‑first distributor.
Potential Impact on Artists and Listeners
Bandcamp’s ban may signal to creators that there is limited demand for AI‑generated songs on a marketplace that emphasizes direct sales and fan support. By restricting AI content, the platform hopes to preserve the integrity of its catalog and protect the financial interests of human musicians who rely on Bandcamp’s sales model.
Source: techcrunch.com