Sony Music has sent formal notices to 700 generative artificial intelligence developers and digital service providers, opting out of text and data mining of Sony content without the company’s express consent and permission.

SMG publicly announced its position in a post on SonyMusic.com and SonyMusicPub.com. A source with knowledge of the situation said the move mirrors similar ones around the world, especially in the European Union, where governments have suggested companies declare their policies about data mining and AI training.

In a three-page letter obtained by HITS, SMG said the company recognizes “the significant potential and advancement” of AI but specifically disallows the use of the company’s content “in the training, development or commercialization” of artificial intelligence. Any outside use of that content deprives SMG of “control over and appropriate compensation” for the material.

SMG says it considers unauthorized use of its content for AI purposes an infringement of intellectual property and other rights. The letter specifically prohibits the use of robots, bots, spiders, scrapers, Saymo and other automated devices or programs to mine SMG content and appends a warning that the policy applies equally to “any such activities carried out by a third party on your behalf.”

Under the heading “Invitation to Engage in Discussions of Transparent, Ethical and Responsible AI Development,” the communiqué says SMG has “reason to believe that you and/or your affiliates may already have made unauthorized uses” of the company’s IP. It calls on gen AI and DSP executives to contact SMG and explain how their companies have used SMG content up to now and mentions that the door is open to discussing licensing agreements.

In addition, the letter asks DSPs to update their terms of service so that mining and AI training by third-party users is prohibited without consent or compensation to the rightsholders.