AI & Dataset Licensing

What this is

Symphonic's AI & Dataset Licensing Addendum is an optional add-on to your Digital Distribution Agreement (DDA). If you accept it in your SymphonicMS account, your entire SymphonicMS account (including all sub-accounts and sub-labels) becomes eligible for consideration for AI and dataset licensing opportunities that Symphonic negotiates and accepts on your behalf under the Addendum's rules.

This program is voluntary. You decide whether to opt in. If you do, Symphonic will review your account and, where appropriate, include eligible catalog content in Dataset Licenses under the terms of the Addendum.

Important legal note: the Addendum is an addendum to (and governed by) your DDA. If the DDA is canceled or terminated, the Addendum ends too, and Symphonic may suspend or close the account per the DDA. At the same time, Symphonic will continue to account and pay you for any Dataset Licenses entered into before termination, and certain obligations (payments, audits) survive termination per the DDA. See the full Addendum and the DDA for details.

Key facts at a glance (what you'll want to know)

• Account-level election, including sub-accounts and sub-labels. Accepting the Addendum applies to your entire SymphonicMS account, including all sub-accounts and sub-labels. All content in your account becomes eligible for consideration.
• One arrangement, per account. Accepting the Addendum makes your entire Symphonic account reviewable for dataset licensing. This is an account-level election, not a per-track submission.
• Symphonic decides what's eligible. Symphonic determines which tracks/stems/releases it will consider for any particular licensing opportunity; clients do not get per-track opt-outs via the clickwrap. Symphonic will consider reasonable requests, but has sole discretion. Symphonic's eligibility determinations are business judgments and do not constitute clearance of your rights or verification of your ownership.
• Artist economics: Default split is 80% to the artist/catalog / 20% to Symphonic on Net Revenue (what Symphonic actually collects, less allowable deductions as defined in the DDA).
• No guaranteed minimum. There is no contractual floor. Symphonic pursues competitive deals and maintains internal targets, but outcomes vary by partner and use case.
• Voice & identity protections. Symphonic will use commercially reasonable efforts to negotiate Dataset Licenses that prohibit or restrict voice modeling and voice cloning uses. To the extent any Dataset License permits voice modeling, you must have obtained prior written consent from all relevant rightsholders (artist, featured performers, etc.) for content included in that deal. Symphonic cannot guarantee that Licensees will not attempt such uses or that technical safeguards will be completely effective, even for deals that prohibit voice modeling.
• Termination tied to your DDA. This Addendum terminates when your DDA terminates. You cannot opt in and out of AI licensing during the Term. Once you opt in, you're in for the duration of your DDA. Termination is prospective only: Symphonic will not include your content in new Dataset Licenses after termination, but existing Dataset Licenses continue per their terms. Symphonic will notify Licensees where feasible, but cannot guarantee cessation or deletion.
• DDA renewal continuity. If you renew your DDA, this AI Addendum automatically continues with the renewal unless otherwise stated in the renewal DDA. You don't need to re-accept.
• Derived Data. Embeddings, fingerprints, tags and other Derived Data are treated as Symphonic's operational output and are restricted to the permitted uses in the Addendum.
• Partner safeguards. Symphonic will use commercially reasonable efforts to negotiate Dataset Licenses that include protections for Symphonic and clients, but the specific terms will vary by Licensee and by deal. Symphonic makes no representation or guarantee as to the specific terms of any Dataset License.
• Publishing cooperation. Many dataset deals require that the rightsholder controls both masters and publishing. If Symphonic does not administer publishing, you may be asked to provide publisher details or secure publishing permissions for particular deals.
• Rights clearance matters. Some deals require masters only; others require both masters and publishing ("fully cleared" or "200% cleared"). If you've licensed content from others (e.g., you're a label or aggregator), your agreements with those third parties must expressly authorize AI training uses, or you must have obtained the necessary amendments or consents. Many older contracts don't cover this.
• AI-generated content. Most Dataset Licenses will not accept AI-generated content, even if you have rights in such content. If you have AI-generated content, you must disclose this via the Portal's AI disclosure mechanism and confirm that the AI platform's terms of use permit commercial distribution and training other AI models. Symphonic will determine on a deal-by-deal basis whether AI-generated content is eligible for any particular Dataset License. Delivery of AI-generated content without proper disclosure constitutes Improper Activity under your DDA.
• Reporting & audit. You'll get itemized statements when Symphonic receives matchable, reportable data. Clients may run one financial audit per calendar year (subject to confidentiality protections and the audit rules in the DDA).
• Optional but not reversible during Term. The Addendum is optional. Once you opt in, you're in for the duration of your DDA. You cannot opt out during the Term. Termination occurs when your DDA terminates, and is prospective only. The effects of past licensing (including model influence) cannot be reversed.

Rights Requirements — What You Need to Know

Not all deals are the same. Different AI licensing opportunities have different rights requirements:

• Masters-Only Deals: Some deals require only that you control the master recording rights worldwide. In these cases, the AI partner has separately cleared publishing rights through other arrangements.
• Fully Cleared Deals (Masters + Publishing / "200% Cleared"): Other deals require that you control both the master recording rights and the publishing/composition rights worldwide. If you don't control publishing, you may not be eligible for these opportunities. To the extent you control both master recording rights and publishing rights worldwide for any content, you will identify such "Fully Cleared" content upon Symphonic's request.

Symphonic will determine which of your content is eligible for each opportunity based on information in your SymphonicMS account. Symphonic's eligibility determinations are business judgments and do not constitute clearance of your rights or verification of your ownership.

If you are a label, aggregator, or have licensed content from others:

Many older distribution, label, or aggregator agreements were written before AI training uses existed and may not expressly authorize AI or machine learning uses. Before opting into this program, confirm that your agreements with artists/rightsholders expressly authorize AI training uses, or obtain the necessary amendments or consents.

By accepting the Addendum, you certify that your agreements expressly authorize AI training uses — not just traditional distribution rights.

AI-Generated Content:

Most Dataset Licenses will not accept AI-generated content, even if you own the rights to such content. If you have AI-generated content, you must disclose this via the Portal's AI disclosure mechanism and confirm that the AI platform's terms of use permit commercial distribution and training other AI models. Symphonic will determine on a deal-by-deal basis whether AI-generated content is eligible for any particular Dataset License. Delivery of AI-generated content without proper disclosure constitutes Improper Activity under your DDA and may result in suspension, withholding of royalties, and termination.

Some deals may involve settlement of past claims:

Certain AI partners have previously used music content without authorization. Some deals include a settlement and release of claims related to that prior use. Symphonic will disclose when a specific deal includes settlement/release provisions before your content is included, so you can make an informed decision.

Why opt in?

• New revenue channel. AI and dataset licensing is a fast-growing part of the music ecosystem — it can create meaningful new income for rightsholders.
• We handle the heavy lifting. Symphonic evaluates, negotiates, and (where appropriate) closes dataset deals for you — including negotiating reporting and protections.
• Artist protections. Symphonic will use commercially reasonable efforts to negotiate Dataset Licenses that prohibit or restrict voice modeling and include security and remediation obligations, though we cannot guarantee specific terms in every deal.
• You keep ownership. Opting in does not transfer your copyrights — it authorizes specific uses under the Addendum only.

If you want access to new kinds of licensing opportunities while maintaining important safeguards — opting in is the practical way to participate without handling negotiations yourself.

What we will ask from you

• Proof of rights. You represent and warrant you own or control the required rights for Catalog Content you enroll, including the right to authorize AI training and machine learning uses. If you don't administer publishing, we may ask for publisher contacts, IPI/CAE numbers, or proof of permissions when clearing a specific deal. If you have licensed content from third parties (e.g., you're a label or aggregator), your agreements with those third parties must expressly authorize AI uses, or you must have obtained the necessary amendments or consents.
• Reasonable cooperation. If Symphonic needs publishing cooperation to clear a license, we may ask that you contact your publisher or provide authorization details. If required permissions can't be secured, a specific opportunity may be ineligible.
• Accurate disclosure. You must accurately disclose via the Portal's AI disclosure mechanism whether any content was created using AI tools.

Termination — realistic expectations

• Termination tied to your DDA. This Addendum terminates when your DDA terminates. You cannot opt in and out during the Term. Once you opt in, you're in for the duration of your DDA.
• Termination is prospective only. Termination stops future licensing. Symphonic will not include your content in new Dataset Licenses after termination.
• Existing licenses continue. Termination does not affect Dataset Licenses entered into before termination. Those continue per their terms.
• No "untraining." Once content is trained into a model, it cannot be untrained. Symphonic will notify Licensees and request cessation/deletion where feasible, but cannot guarantee any outcome.
• Loss of rights doesn't cure past liability. If you lose rights to content during the Term, notifying Symphonic does not cure, remedy, or otherwise affect any liability arising from your prior representations and warranties. Your indemnification obligations under the DDA survive any termination or loss of rights notification and continue in perpetuity as provided in the DDA.
• DDA renewal continuity. If you renew your DDA, this AI Addendum automatically continues unless otherwise stated in the renewal.

Reporting & payments

• When you get paid. Symphonic pays you when it receives and can match reportable data to your catalog and in accordance with the DDA's payment mechanics. Licensees report to Symphonic at different time intervals, and Symphonic cannot guarantee timely reporting and/or payment by each Licensee.
• What you'll see. To the extent Licensees provide sufficient detail, Symphonic will include licensee identity, dates of use, and asset-level attribution in Statements. Symphonic has no obligation to provide detail that Licensees don't provide.

Common questions

Q — Is this right for me? A — If you want to pursue new revenue channels without negotiating each deal yourself, this is a good option. If you're cautious about experimental AI uses, you can wait. Note that once you opt in, you're in for the duration of your DDA — you can't opt out during the Term.

Q — Will my voice be cloned? A — Not without your consent. Symphonic will negotiate Dataset Licenses that prohibit or restrict voice modeling. To the extent any deal permits voice modeling, you must have obtained prior written consent from all relevant rightsholders (artist, featured performers, etc.) for content included in that deal. Symphonic cannot guarantee Licensee compliance or that technical safeguards will be completely effective.

Q — Can I stop specific tracks from being included? A — Not through the clickwrap. The Addendum is an account-level opt-in and Symphonic manages eligibility. We do consider reasonable requests, but clients don't get per-track exclusions via the clickwrap.

Q — Can I opt out later? A — No. Once you opt in, you're in for the duration of your DDA. The Addendum only terminates when your DDA terminates. Termination is prospective only — it stops future licensing but doesn't undo past licenses or eliminate model influence already incorporated into trained models.

Q — What are the economics? A — Default: 80% of Net Revenue to the artist/catalog; 20% to Symphonic. There is no contractual minimum per asset; Symphonic pursues competitive outcomes.

Q — Will I know who the licensees are? A — For deals that materially deviate from the Addendum (e.g., materially different economics or high-risk uses), Symphonic will seek your separate approval and will disclose deal particulars as part of that consent process.

Q — I'm a label/aggregator. Can I still participate? A — Yes, but your agreements with artists and other rightsholders must expressly authorize AI training uses — not just distribution. Many older contracts don't cover AI. Before opting in, confirm your agreements authorize AI training, or obtain amendments or consents. By accepting the Addendum, you're certifying that your agreements expressly authorize AI uses.

Q — Do I need to control publishing rights? A — It depends on the deal. Some opportunities require masters only (the AI partner clears publishing separately). Others require both masters and publishing ("fully cleared" or "200% cleared"). Symphonic will determine eligibility based on information in your SymphonicMS account. If you control both masters and publishing worldwide, you will identify such content upon Symphonic's request.

Q — Can I include AI-generated content? A — Most Dataset Licenses will not accept AI-generated content, even if you own the rights. If you have AI-generated content, you must disclose via the Portal's AI disclosure mechanism and confirm the AI platform's terms of use permit commercial distribution and training other AI models. Symphonic will determine on a deal-by-deal basis whether AI-generated content is eligible. Delivery of AI-generated content without proper disclosure constitutes Improper Activity under your DDA.

Q — What if a deal involves settling past claims? A — Some AI partners previously used content without authorization. Certain deals include a settlement and release of those past claims. Symphonic will disclose this before including your content in any such deal.

Q — What happens if my DDA renews? A — If you renew your DDA, this AI Addendum automatically continues with the renewal unless otherwise stated in the renewal DDA. You don't need to re-accept.

Q — What happens if I lose rights to content during the Term? A — Notify Symphonic immediately per the DDA's notice provisions. Symphonic will use commercially reasonable efforts to exclude that content from future Dataset Licenses. However, loss of rights notification does not cure any liability arising from your prior representations and warranties. Your indemnification obligations survive and continue in perpetuity per the DDA.

How to enroll (short)

1. Sign in to your Symphonic account.
2. Find the AI & Dataset Licensing Addendum in SymphonicMS.
3. Read the Addendum and accept via the clickwrap. SymphonicMS will display a summary and a link to the full Addendum and your DDA.
4. Ensure all information in your SymphonicMS account (including content source, publishing rights status, and AI disclosure) is accurate and complete. Symphonic will rely on this information to determine eligibility for Dataset Licenses.
5. If Symphonic needs publisher/verification info for a specific deal, we'll contact you.

In Summary

This program is designed to give you access to a new revenue stream. It's new, evolving quickly, and optional. If you're interested in opportunities, opting in lets Symphonic evaluate and negotiate on your behalf under clear rules and safeguards. Note that once you opt in, you're in for the duration of your DDA — you can't opt out during the Term.

Read the full legal texts before opting in: the Addendum and your DDA describe the full contractual terms.

Key changes from the previous FAQ version to align with the updated Addendum:

1. AI-generated content updated from "categorically ineligible" to flexible approach (most deals won't accept it, but Symphonic determines on a deal-by-deal basis; proper disclosure required)
2. Voice modeling updated to reflect Addendum's approach (Symphonic negotiates restrictions; if a deal permits voice modeling, client needs consent; not a separate opt-in)
3. Added loss of rights Q&A to align with Addendum Section 9(b) (notification doesn't cure past liability)
4. Added "Fully Cleared" identification obligation to publishing rights Q&A (client will identify Fully Cleared content upon request)
5. Added "loss of rights doesn't cure past liability" to Termination section to align with Addendum Section 9(b)