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Tidal won’t pay royalties on AI-generated music but isn’t banning it outright

Tidal just killed royalties for AI-generated music. Here's why the music industry's AI reckoning is forcing every platform to pick a side.

Reporting by The Verge AI 1 min brief
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The KeyNews take

Why it matters

As AI music generation scales, streaming platforms are establishing precedent for how synthetic content gets monetized—and who profits. Tidal's demonetization policy signals a broader shift toward protecting human-created work, setting a template other platforms may follow.

The key facts

11 to know

  1. Tidal demonetizing all AI-generated music effective immediately (June 29, 2026)

  2. Platform will label 100% AI-generated tracks with icon starting July 15, 2026

  3. Policy applies only to tracks identified as 'wholly AI-generated'

  4. Tidal prioritizing royalties for 'original works directly produced, written, and performed by people'

  5. Detection methodology not disclosed

  6. Tidal demonetizes AI-generated music effective immediately

  7. Visual labeling of 100% AI-generated tracks rolls out July 15, 2026

  8. Policy: royalties flow only to human-created, performed, written works

  9. No AI music detection methodology disclosed

  10. Approach is demonetization + labeling, not outright ban

  11. Affects viability of AI music monetization on major platform

Go to the source

The Verge AItheverge.com

Publisher excerpt: Tidal shared its new policies regarding AI-generated music today and how the platform plans to "protect artists" and "inform listeners." Instead of banning it outright, starting on July 15th Tidal will label tracks it has identified as being 100 percent AI-generated with an icon. But starting today…
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