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Is DeepSeek training its AI on copyrighted music without permission?

Feb 17, 2025 - musicbusinessworldwide.com
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot, is under scrutiny for allegedly training its AI on copyrighted music without permission. John Phelan, Director General of the International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP), claims that DeepSeek uses copyrighted music content for commercial purposes without licenses from rights holders. The ICMP has conducted evidence-gathering studies and released a video showing DeepSeek posting lyrics from artists like Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. DeepSeek argues its use of lyrics falls under "fair use" for educational or commentary purposes, a defense previously used by other AI companies facing copyright infringement lawsuits. However, rights holders have rejected this argument, and the ICMP's public accusations mark a rare move in the music industry.

The controversy comes amid reports that OpenAI is investigating DeepSeek for potential intellectual property violations. The situation highlights the broader issue of AI companies using copyrighted material without permission, as seen in recent legal cases. A US court recently ruled against an AI company, Ross Intelligence, in a case involving the use of copyrighted material, signaling a potential shift in favor of copyright holders. The development of DeepSeek at a significantly lower cost than other AI models has also raised concerns in the tech industry, contributing to market instability.

Key takeaways:

  • DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot, is accused of training its AI on copyrighted music without permission, raising concerns in the global AI industry.
  • The International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP) claims DeepSeek uses copyrighted lyrics for commercial purposes without licenses, citing examples like Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran.
  • DeepSeek argues its use of copyrighted material falls under "fair use," a defense also used by other AI companies facing similar lawsuits.
  • A recent US court ruling against an AI company suggests using copyrighted material without permission for AI training may not qualify as "fair use," favoring copyright holders.
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