Copyrighting Musical Styles and the Implications on AI Litigation

June 25, 2024

The decision by US courts to allow copyrighting of musical styles has created uncertainty for artists and record labels regarding permissible influence and interpolation versus impermissible appropriation and plagiarism. The test for determining copyright infringement varies across different court circuits, making it difficult to establish a clear standard. In light of the major record labels lawsuit against AI companies, the key to the case may lie in how “musical style” is defined.