Björn Ulvaeus of the legendary musical group is promoting a new platform, called CLIP, to help artists learn about copyright.
With his bandmates ABBA, they have sold hundreds of millions of records around the world. Today Björn Ulvaeus has joined forces with the UN to raise awareness among creators about copyright in the digital age and artificial intelligence.
Free, and available in six languages by the beginning of 2024, the CLIP platform (for “Creators Learn Intellectual Property”, in English) launched Friday, November 17, in Geneva, aims to raise artists’ awareness of the issue of copyright. author to help them better defend themselves and obtain fair compensation for their work.
Distinguishing between humans and AI
The arts industry has “great need” of CLIP as artificial intelligence risks flooding the market with AI-generated songs based on artists’ pre-existing work, said Björn Ulvaeus. “We have to separate what comes from humans and what comes from AI because otherwise the music industry will be destroyed.”he also estimated during a press conference in Geneva at the headquarters of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized UN agency.
He took the example of an ABBA-style ballad sung by the voice of Frank Sinatra created with AI. “In the end it will be impossible to trace” the influences and origin of a piece, he added. “There must be a solution to remunerate those whose catalogs” are used by the AI, he continued. Across the world, creators are producing music, art and other content at unprecedented levels and digital distribution is booming. But very often, they do not know how to obtain recognition for their work, particularly when it is consumed online, indicates WIPO in a press release.
“CLIP” to understand a complex industry
The new platform, launched by WIPO and the legendary ABBA star, also president of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), aims to improve this situation. “I know firsthand how important it is for creators to know and manage their intellectual property rights. These days, this aspect is fundamental to a successful career in the music industry”said the Swedish artist in the press release.
By helping creators “to understand the workings of the creative industries, we enable them to best promote their creations”, added the 78-year-old co-founder of the Music Rights Awareness Foundation. “The music industry is more and more complex today”underlined Björn Ulvaeus interviewed by AFP.
The development of streaming has certainly slowed down piracy, but if musicians do not record their songs to assert copyright, streaming services do not know who to pay, insisted the singer. The first version of the CLIP platform will focus on the music industry and will allow users to discover the different players involved in the marketing of a song and to familiarize themselves with the rights of music creators.
Continue to view your creations
“Creators draw on their talent and artistic vision to bring us music, art, songs and dance”said WIPO Director General Daren Tang in the press release. “Supporting them is essential to preserving the wealth of every society and every country. We must do everything in our power to ensure that they receive due recognition and fair compensation, so that they can flourish in their work and their contribution to society”he observed.
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