Can You Copyright AI-Generated Songs? What You Need to Know

AI can write a song in seconds—but can you legally own it?

by AiSongFix Staff | July, 27, 2025.

Can You Copyright AI-Generated Songs? What You Need to Know

As AI songwriting tools become increasingly accessible, the issue of AI songwriting ownership is a significant concern. A growing number of creators are asking the same big question:

Can I copyright a song that was generated (or co-written) by artificial intelligence?

The short answer? It depends.

The longer answer? Let's walk through what's allowed, what's risky, and what you can do to make your AI-generated song copyrightable and protect your rights as a songwriter.


The U.S. Copyright Office's Position on AI Songs

As of now, the U.S. Copyright Office does not grant copyright protection to works created solely by artificial intelligence without meaningful human authorship.

A common question is: "Can I copyright AI lyrics?"

No. Nor can you copyright AI music.

In other words:

You may wonder: "If I can't copyright AI music, is there another way I can protect AI music?"

No—there is no alternative form of registration that offers the same legal protection as copyright. This applies not only in the United States but in 181 countries that recognize international copyright under the Berne Convention, to which the U.S. is a signatory.

The Copyright Office is clear:

Only human creativity is protectable.

AI can assist, but it can't be the sole creator.

However, there is good news...

The US Copyright Office explains in the AI Registration Guidance, on page 24 of its report Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, Part 2: Copyrightability:

A human may select or arrange AI-generated material in a sufficiently creative way that 'the resulting work as a whole constitutes an original work of authorship.'

Learn more by reading the U.S. Copyright Office's Report on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence. 🌐↗


What Counts as "Human Authorship?"

For an AI-generated song copyright, you must show that you made substantial creative contributions. Examples include:

Rewriting AI Songs for Copyright: How Much Is Enough?

Think of the AI as a rough sketch. You need to be the painter who brings the canvas to life.


What About Song Registrations and Copyright Forms?

When submitting a song that includes AI-generated content, you must disclose the role of AI in the creation.

On the registration form:

Failure to disclose AI use could result in rejection or cancellation of your copyright later on.

Copyright Registration Links 🌐↗


How to Make Your AI Song Copyright-Ready

Here are a few best practices:

  1. Treat AI output as a starting point, not a finished song.
  2. Rewrite, rephrase, or restructure any significant AI content.
  3. Use your own melodies, voice, or instrumental parts as much as possible.
  4. Document your changes and creative input.
  5. Avoid uploading or publishing AI-only songs without editing.

There are other legal issues with AI songs, which we will cover in future articles. The primary remedy for solving all these issues and to copyright AI music is: When in doubt, humanize it.


🎵 Need help with an AI-generated song copyright?

👉 Then it might be time to consider getting help from "songwriting doctors" who specialize in humanizing AI songs. Scroll to the link below for Country Demo Studio's AI-to-Human Song Service. They can help with rewriting country songs, as well as those in the pop, rock, contemporary Christian, and Americana genres.


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🎸 Songwriters 🎹

Need to humanize your AI song? We can help rewrite your lyrics, melody, or track to make it ready for copyright and pitching.

Country Demo Studio 🌐↗