Every year on April 26, World Intellectual Property Day gives us a moment to reflect on the power of creativity and the legal tools that help protect it. The 2025 theme, IP and Music, zooms in on one of the most dynamic and emotionally resonant industries out there. Music is more than entertainment, it shapes culture, drives commerce, and applies cutting-edge technology.
These days, music creation goes far beyond song writing and performance. It involves digital content production, AI-assisted composition, platform-based distribution, and brand development. At the center of this ecosystem is intellectual property (IP) that enables creators to secure exclusive rights, monetize their outputs, and protect assets.
For decades, the music world has leaned on IP to safeguard creative work. Copyright gives songwriters, musicians and artists control over their compositions and recordings. Trademarks protect the identity of artists and labels. Patents and trade secrets are now playing a crucial role in protecting the advancements in music technology, such as innovations like audio compression, smart recommendation systems, and real-time analysis tools. As we navigate through year 2025, it is clear that the way we create, share, and experience music is evolving at a rapid pace. To keep up, IP laws need to evolve too.
AI-generated music is one of the biggest developments that keeps industry players on their toes. With generative AI models now capable of composing full tracks in seconds, the line between tool and creator gets more blurred than ever. Most copyright laws still require human authorship for claiming copyright in a work. In a first-of-its-kind move, South Korea rolled out a legal framework this year for works co-created by humans and AI. These regulatory shifts are mirrored in WIPO’s ongoing discussions. The Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights identified AI as a key area requiring new legal thinking, particularly around how AI-generated or AI-assisted works should be registered, identified, and compensated. One proposal encourages the voluntary registration of AI-generated content and assigning unique identifiers to ensure clearer rights attribution in digital environments.
IP Licensing is also getting a tech upgrade, especially with blockchain. Licensing has always been a complicated part of the music business, especially when it comes to sampling or collaborative tracks. But blockchain and smart contracts are streamlining the process. By automating licensing and payments, these technologies are helping artists get paid more transparently and efficiently. Real-time royalty tracking is also making it easier to settle disputes and make sure everyone involved gets their fair share. At the international level, efforts are being made to address persistent challenges in digital music economies particularly around remuneration and transparency. A draft work plan submitted by the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) at WIPO’s SCCR/45 session highlights the need for a broader and deeper discussion on copyright in the digital environment. The plan underscores a strong asymmetry in negotiations, standard form contracts, a lack of transparency, and low remuneration in royalties for the exploitation of works and performances particularly when compared to the income generated for digital platforms. GRULAC proposes studies and debates to address these imbalances and to explore mechanisms such as minimum guarantees in negotiations and contract renegotiation rights.
When it comes to music branding, we are seeing a major expansion beyond just names and logos. In 2025, Canadian singer and songwriter Grimes made headlines by openly allowing to use her voice and digital character in AI-generated content, with shared royalties. It is a sign of where music branding is headed and how artists are now thinking beyond traditional brand assets. From voiceprints to virtual avatars and unique sound effects, artists are expanding what it means to own their identity.
Music is entering new dimensions with the metaverse. As concerts go virtual and fans interact with music in immersive 3D spaces, questions on IP ownership and management are popping up. Who owns a performance that happens in the metaverse? How are rights managed when fans remix or co-create with an artist’s content? Musicians are turning to NFTs and other digital tools to lock in rights and revenue in these new environments. As virtual economies mature, IP laws will need to balance innovation with protection more than ever.
Today’s music landscape is anything but static. From AI-generated tracks to blockchain royalties and virtual concert arenas, creators are constantly pushing boundaries. Protecting their work is no longer just a legal obligation but also a way to fuel future creativity. As the industry becomes more collaborative, digital, and decentralized, IP laws must keep evolving to meet those changes head-on. When the law evolves alongside technology, it helps protect creativity and ensures that the music keeps playing for both artists and audiences.
By Ananya Reghu
