CEO Wongil Huh of Pozalabs Responds to Sony Music Group’s Concerns About AI Training Data


Published on June 20, 2024

Pozalabs, a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) music generation, has issued a statement to reaffirm its commitment to ethical practices following inquiries from Sony Music Group about the use of their music catalogue for AI training.

As the developers of the renowned AI music platform LAIVE, Pozalabs has reinforced its commitment to ethically driven AI development. The company stressed that its music generation technology relies entirely on a bespoke MIDI dataset, created by 30 professional composers working in-house, which precludes the use of any external music sources. This method protects intellectual property rights across the music industry.

Pozalabs firmly opposes the unauthorized use of music as training data, condemning such practices as unethical and undermining the artistic contributions of creators and industry stakeholders. The company remains steadfast in maintaining high ethical standards and aims to nurture positive relationships within the music industry.

In an effort to address these concerns comprehensively, Pozalabs has invited Sony Music Group representatives to their Seoul office for a visit. The purpose of this visit is to provide a thorough demonstration of their music generation process, fostering transparency and strengthening trust between the two organizations.

The full statement:

Dear Sony Music,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing in response to your recent letter dated May 24, 2024, regarding the use of Sony Music Group’s catalog and other music legacies as training data for AI-generated music. At Pozalabs, we take this matter seriously and appreciate your concerns.

First and foremost, I would like to clarify our position and the methodology we employ in developing our music AI. Pozalabs has developed its music generation AI solely through a proprietary MIDI dataset created by our team of 30 in-house professional composers. We strictly refrain from utilizing any external music sources for the purpose of music generation. Our approach, rooted in respect for the intellectual property rights of all music industry stakeholders, music creators, and artists, has been adhered to since the company’s establishment in 2018.

We firmly oppose the unauthorized use of music as training data. Such practices are unethical and disrespectful to the creative endeavors and intellectual property of artists and stakeholders within the music industry. At Pozalabs, we are committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in the use of training data and strive to foster mutually beneficial relationships with all parties involved.

We extend an invitation for you to visit our office in Seoul. During your visit, we would be more than happy to provide a comprehensive overview of our music generation process. We believe transparency is essential in building trust and understanding between our organizations.

Moreover, we are open to discussing the possibility of collaborating with Sony Music Group and its artists. Should there be interest in developing an artist-specific music generation model, we are open to co-developing such a model. We are confident that such collaborations can lead to innovative outcomes that respect the artistry and intellectual property of musicians while leveraging the power of AI.

Pozalabs is dedicated to the ethical use of training data and continuously explores ways to create partnerships with music industry stakeholders, creators, and artists. We believe in a collaborative approach that ensures the integrity and respect of all parties involved.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to discussing further how we can work together to advance the field of AI-generated music in a manner that honors the contributions and rights of artists and stakeholders.

Warm regards,
Wongil Huh
Chief Executive Officer

Newsdesk Editor