SACEM and AI in 2026:
what every artist must know
Is SACEM really opposed to AI? Can AI-generated music be registered? What does the 2023 opt-out change? Here is a clear update based on official texts — no misinformation.
⚠️ Fast-moving topic: no French court decision has yet definitively settled the question of copyright for AI works (status as of 9 June 2026). This article will be updated as soon as a court ruling or an official clarification from SACEM is published. It provides general information and does not constitute personalised legal advice.
SACEM and AI: myths vs reality
The topic generates a lot of misinformation. Before going into detail, here is a quick clarification of the most widespread misconceptions.
'SACEM is against artificial intelligence'
False — SACEM is not opposed to AI as a creative tool. It has adapted to technological revolutions for 175 years. Its fight concerns the defence protection of works of its members against unpaid exploitation by AI models.
'Music made with AI can never be protected'
False — if you use AI as a tool while keeping control over your creative choices (selection, arrangement, editing), you remain the author and the work remains protectable. Only a entirely generated without human contribution is not protected.
'SACEM blocked the use of its repertoire to train AIs'
True — in October 2023, SACEM exercised an automatic right of opposition (opt-out) for its entire repertoire. AI providers must now request authorisation to use works by SACEM members.
“An AI can never be regarded as an author”
True — under French law, only a natural person can be the author of a work. It is enshrined in the French Intellectual Property Code and confirmed by European case law.
The true position of the SACEM on AI
Contrary to clichés, the SACEM is not opposed to innovation. Founded in 1851, it has already weathered several major technological revolutions — the radio, television, streaming — each time adapting its collective management model.
AI is seen as yet another evolution, but with a specific and new challenge: to protect its members' works against unpaid use for training generative AI models.
In 2024, SACEM redistributed €1.379 billion to creators, publishers and affiliates worldwide — a 12% increase compared with 2023. The AI challenge fits into this logic: ensuring that the value generated by its members' works is properly remunerated.
SACEM's 2023 opt-out: what it means in practice
In short: If you're a SACEM member, your repertoire is already protected against unauthorised AI training — with no action required on your part. If you're not a member, this automatic protection does not apply to you.
Is AI-generated music protected by copyright?
It's the central question for everyone artist in 2026. The answer depends entirely on the level ofhuman creative input in the process.
| Situation | Protected by copyright | Registerable with SACEM |
|---|---|---|
| Music 100% generated by AI (prompt → raw output, without editing) | No | No |
| AI as a tool + significant human creative choices | Yes | Yes |
| Human composition, mixed/mastered by AI | Yes | Yes |
| Melody generated by AI, lyrics written by a human | Partial — lyrics protected | Lyrics only |
| AI voice singing a human composition | Composition protected | Yes — composition |
The fundamental legal principle: Under French law, only a natural person can be the author of a work. An AI, however sophisticated, can never be considered an author or co-author. This principle is confirmed by current European case law.
The figure that should alarm independent artists
Nearly 60,000 AI-generated tracks are released every day on streaming platforms — that is 39% of all music uploaded daily, compared with just 10% a year earlier. This surge threatens up to 25% of music creators' revenues by 2028, according to a CISAC / PMP Strategy study — a potential loss estimated at €4 billion for the industry.
Another worrying sign: according to Deezer's data, up to 85% of streams of AI-generated music were fraudulent in 2025 — accounts were artificially created to inflate streams of AI-generated works and to skew recommendation algorithms. Deezer now excludes these streams from its remuneration system and is offering its detection technology to the entire industry.
An Ipsos study commissioned by Deezer in 2025 confirms the scale of the discernment problem: out of 9,000 people surveyed across 8 countries, 97% couldn't distinguish an AI-generated track from a human creation in a blind test. Since June 2025, Deezer has been labelling AI content with a detection tool claimed to be 100% accurate on the most-used models, such as Suno and Udio.
How to declare a work assisted by AI
If you use AI in your creative process — and this is increasingly common — here’s how to make sure your work remains protectable and can be registered.
Retain control of your creative choices
Selecting generated elements, arranging, editing, mixing — every creative decision you make strengthens your status as the author.
Document your human contribution
Keep successive versions, the prompts used, and the changes made. This traceability proves your creative involvement if questions arise.
Protect your exports before release
Deposit your final version on TuneLockr before any release — a time-stamped proof of precedence, independent of the question of AI contribution.
Register with SACEM as usual
If your creative contribution is significant, your declaration follows the standard process — the use of AI tools does not need to be reported differently as long as you remain the actual author.
The European AI Act: what it actually changes
Published in summer 2024, theAI Act is the European regulatory framework for artificial intelligence. For the artists, two points are important:
✅ What the AI Act brings
- Mandatory transparency about AI-generated content
- Mandatory compliance by AI providers with Directive 2019/790 on copyright
- A harmonised European framework for model providers
⚠️ What the AI Act doesn't provide
- No standalone intellectual property regime for AI creations
- No definitive clarification on the protection of hybrid works
- No decisive French case law as of June 2026
The current legal gap It favours caution: until a court has issued a definitive ruling, the safest stance for an artist is to document their human contribution and establish independent proof of precedence regardless of the AI debate.
How to protect in this climate of uncertainty
In the face of this persistent legal uncertainty, the strongest strategy for an independent artist is not to wait for legal clarification — it's to establish their own proof of precedence, independently of the AI debate.
Before release
Upload your final file to TuneLockr — blockchain-timestamped proof, valid whether your creation involves AI or not.
Process documentation
Keep intermediate versions, prompts and creative choices — useful in case of a dispute over the authenticity of your contribution.
SACEM declaration
If you're a member, your repertoire is automatically protected by the opt-out against unauthorised AI training.
The right move in 2026: Regardless of the legal debate on AI, a TuneLockr proof of precedence filed before any release remains your strongest and most immediate protection — it does not depend on any future case law.
🔐 Protect your music before it circulates
TuneLockr — blockchain proof of precedence in 2 minutes. First upload free, no card required.
Protect my music →SACEM and AI in figures
€1.379 billion
Redistributed by SACEM in 2024 to creators, publishers and affiliates — +12% vs 2023.
60,000 tracks per day
Generated by AI and distributed each day on streaming platforms (Deezer, January 2026).
39% (vs 10% a year earlier)
Share of music uploaded daily that is AI-generated — growing rapidly.
25% of revenues at risk
By 2028 according to the CISAC / PMP Strategy study — around €4 billion for the industry.
85% fraudulent streams
On AI music in 2025, according to Deezer — accounts created to artificially inflate stream counts.
97% — blind listening test
Share of respondents (Ipsos/Deezer study, 9,000 people, 8 countries) unable to distinguish AI from human.
October 2023
Date SACEM exercised its opt-out across its entire repertoire.
100% accuracy
AI detection tool deployed by Deezer since June 2025 on the Suno and Udio models.
Sources: RTS — Deezer data, January 2026 · CISAC / PMP Strategy study · Ipsos/Deezer study 2025
FAQ — SACEM and artificial intelligence
No — SACEM is not opposed to AI as a creative tool. It has adapted to technological revolutions for 175 years. Its stance concerns protecting its members' works when they are used to train AI models without prior authorisation or remuneration — not artists' use of AI itself.
In October 2023, the SACEM exercised its right of opposition (opt-out) under Article L.122-5-3 III of the French Intellectual Property Code (CPI) for the entirety of its members' repertoire. AI providers must obtain prior authorisation and negotiate remuneration to use those works. Members don't have to do anything — it's automatic.
No, not if it is generated entirely by AI without any human creative input. Only a natural person can be an author under French law. Music 100% generated without human creative intervention is not protectable by copyright, nor can it be registered with SACEM.
Yes, provided you retain control over your creative choices. If you use AI as a tool while making significant artistic decisions (selection, arrangement, editing), you remain the author of the work and can register it with SACEM as usual.
The best protection is a dated proof of prior existence, created before any release. TuneLockr allows you to upload your audio file in 2 minutes — Tezos blockchain timestamped certificate, valid in 170+ countries. It's your proof that your work existed before any reproduction by AI.
Report it to your collective rights organisation (SACEM, ADAMI, SPEDIDAM) and to the platform concerned. Keep all evidence of prior ownership. If you are a SACEM member, the 2023 opt‑out already covers your repertoire automatically — this is a strong legal argument in your favour.
The AI Act (summer 2024) requires AI providers to comply with Directive 2019/790 on copyright and introduces transparency obligations. However, it does not establish an autonomous intellectual property regime for AI‑created works — protection still depends on human creative contribution.
Additional resources
Protect your music
First registration free.
Protect →Music promotion
Radio, press, playlists.
See →Music copyright
Complete guide 2026.
Read →ISRC code
Complete guide 2026.
Read →SACEM vs TuneLockr
Complementary roles.
Read →Release a single
Complete checklist.
Read →Official sources: SACEM · Article L.122-5-3 of the French Intellectual Property Code — Légifrance · AI Act — European Commission · WIPO — AI and intellectual property
