UGM Legal Expert Identifies Royalty Transparency and AI as Challenges for Music Industry
Yogyakarta — Laurensia Andrini, a legal expert from Gadjah Mada University (UGM), has identified royalty transparency and the development of artificial intelligence (AI) as emerging challenges for Indonesia’s music industry in the digital era.
According to her, the collection and distribution of royalties in the music industry currently remains frequently questioned regarding its transparency.
“There is the additional concern that musicians’ works protected by copyright are being used as data to train AI without the creator’s permission,” said Andrini in a statement received in Yogyakarta on Monday.
She noted that royalty issues are also connected to inequitable revenue sharing from digital streaming platforms, which are often considered not fully favouring musicians and songwriters.
Andrini, commonly known as Ririn, commended steps undertaken by the National Collective Management Institute (LMKN) in improving royalty management governance through technology utilisation.
“Currently, numerous efforts are underway to bridge the injustices experienced. The LMKN, for instance, has created a digital platform for centralised, transparent, and efficient music royalty management. Commercial users can submit licensing requests and pay royalties through this platform,” she explained.
Amid the proliferation of music streaming platforms globally, she believes the state retains a role in promoting transparency in royalty management.
“The state can ensure that platforms operating in Indonesia prioritise transparency in royalty collection and distribution,” she stated.
According to her, policies adopted must still respect international trade principles under the World Trade Organization (WTO), such as non-discrimination, proportionality, and consistency with Indonesia’s domestic and international commitments.
She said that this year’s National Music Day serves as a reminder that amid new artistic works being created, problems remain that must be addressed collectively.
“This momentum can also be leveraged as an impetus for fostering a music ecosystem that is more equitable, independent, and adaptive to technological developments,” she concluded.