Spotify adds Merlin to its AI covers and remixes plan

In short: Spotify says Merlin has joined Universal Music Group in supporting its upcoming paid tool that lets fans make AI-generated covers and remixes, with artist permission.

What happened

Spotify used its recent earnings call to talk again about a new product it is building for fan-made covers and remixes. The company says people will be able to use AI, meaning software that can generate new audio based on patterns it has learned, to reshape songs from artists who choose to take part.

Spotify also announced a licensing deal with Merlin. Merlin represents more than 30,000 independent record labels and music distributors. Spotify says this will expand the pool of artists and rights holders who can choose to opt in to the tool.

Spotify’s co-CEOs said the focus is on “real artists, not fake artists.” In practice, Spotify is framing this like a permission-based music kit. Fans can “play around” with songs, but only from artists who agree, and the artist should get credit and payment.

The company said a research preview will first go to a subset of users, and it will not need Spotify’s full music catalog to start. Spotify did not share a release date. Spotify has previously said the tool will be a paid add-on, which could create another source of income for participating artists.

Why it matters

AI-made music is already flooding streaming services, and it has raised questions about copying and unpaid use of artists’ work. Spotify is trying to offer a clearer, legal path by making the feature opt-in and tied to licensing, like letting people remix only the songs they have been given the keys to use.

Source: TechCrunch AI