In a world increasingly powered by machine learning and AI, artificial intelligence, South Korea’s Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) has issued a landmark directive that is already rippling through the global music industry.

Effective March 24, 2025, KOMCA now mandates that all artists and songwriters must explicitly declare whether any form of AI was involved in the creative process of a song.

AI – The Policy at a Glance

• Songs involving AI-assisted or AI-generated composition are now ineligible for copyright registration under KOMCA.
• Artists who falsely declare the absence of AI use risk severe consequences, including suspended royalties or complete removal of the work from the copyright registry.
• KOMCA emphasizes the protection of human creativity, aiming to draw a firm boundary between human expression and algorithmic generation.

Why It Matters KOMCA’s decision is a direct response to the growing usage of generative AI tools in music production—from vocal synthesis and chord progression tools to full-song generators. The line between human and machine creativity is increasingly blurred, and this move appears to be a safeguard to ensure that the value and ownership of intellectual property remain grounded in human authorship.

Global Implications The policy sets a precedent that is likely to influence copyright frameworks beyond Asia. With Afrobeats, Amapiano, and other African genres steadily breaking into global markets, it’s a critical moment for music creators across the continent to reflect on how AI might intersect with copyright law, ownership, and authenticity.

What This Means for Artists

• Transparency Will Be Key: Creators must now navigate a new ethical layer—ensuring transparency in their process without compromising their artistry.
  
• Independent Artists May Be Affected: Those using AI tools for production due to cost or access limitations may now face barriers in protecting their work.
  
• Copyright Law Must Evolve: As AI tools become more intuitive, the law will need to define the “threshold of originality” more clearly. Who owns a song if it’s partially

AI-generated but fine-tuned by a human?

Pan-African Perspective: A Wake-Up Call As African music continues to influence the world, local copyright bodies must begin drafting frameworks that anticipate similar developments.