BandLab Licensing now lets creators opt in to training AI modelsEditor’s note: BandLab Technologies and MusicTech are both a part of the Caldecott Music Group.
BandLab has announced a major expansion of its licensing platform, BandLab Licensing, allowing artists and right holders to express interest in licensing their music to train AI models.
This landmark move creates a clear, legal pathway for AI companies to license music from rights holders, enabling AI and music to evolve together in a way that prioritises creators and while driving potential new revenue streams.

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Currently, users of BandLab Licensing can submit music for licensing in TV, film, games, and apps. With the new update, artists, labels, and publishers using the platform can now mark songs as “Open to AI licensing.” This selection registers them to a dedicated database, making it easier for AI companies to discover music that can be legally licensed for training purposes.
That said, every AI training opportunity presented through BandLab Licensing still requires explicit approval from the rights holder before any use. As the platform clarifies on its website, “marking a song as ‘Open to AI licensing’ only signals interest. It does not authorise use.”
“This ensures that artists from BandLab’s global community of over 100 million creators, and any other rights holders, have control and transparency over what AI training licensing deals they choose to participate in,” says BandLab, a longstanding advocate for artist-first AI.
As more and more artists face unauthorised scraping, exploitative loopholes, and vague blanket agreements, this expansion offers a scalable and structured solution that puts creators back in control over how their music is used.
It also levels the playing field, giving independent and emerging artists the same access to AI training licensing opportunities as major rights holders – while reinforcing copyright protections for all.
Developed in consultation with key industry stakeholders, this initiative aims to support ongoing industry efforts to drive innovation, while ensuring that AI companies follow responsible licensing practices that protect, rather than destroy the value of human creativity.
“At BandLab, we believe the future of music must be built on artist-first innovation that respects both legacy and the next generation of creators,” says Meng Ru Kuok, CEO & Co-Founder of BandLab. “At a time when AI exploitation is rampant, we need to aggressively and proactively take action to protect artist rights. Creating pathways and marketplaces for permissible AI training is essential to ensure that AI and music can collaborate in a way that empowers artists, safeguards creativity, and drives real economic value for rights holders.”
Learn more about BandLab Licensing at licensing.bandlab.com.
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