Representing the rights and interests of featured artists in the music industry

“Where words fail, music speaks”

– Hans Christensen Anderson

IAO is the umbrella association for national organisations representing the rights and interests of featured artists in the music industry.

Our principal interests are transparency, the protection of intellectual property and a fair reflection of the value an artist’s work generates.

Latest news

IMARA: A New Global Voice for Performers

Mar 20, 2025

IMARA is a new global umbrella organization exclusively for music performers, created to strengthen their rights and advocacy worldwide. IMARA focuses solely on music performers, ensuring a clearer, stronger voice in the digital economy and international negotiations....

IAO’s Response to the UK IPO AI Consultation

Feb 27, 2025

We have responded to the UK consultation on copyright and artificial intelligence. We argue that AI poses a serious threat to artists’ rights and that the proposed measures do not provide sufficient protection or fair compensation. Here is the essence of our response:...

Joint letter to EU Commissioners Virkkunen and Micallef

Feb 18, 2025

The AI OIice is currently tasked with the critical responsibility of successfully finalising
the ‘General-Purpose AI Code of Practice’ by May 2025.

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IAO Music

4 weeks ago

IAO’s Response to the UK IPO AI ConsultationWe have responded to the UK consultation on copyright and artificial intelligence. We argue that AI poses a serious threat to artists’ rights and that the proposed measures do not provide sufficient protection or fair compensation. Here is the essence of our response:IAO opposes the proposed licensing model and opt-out system, arguing they are impractical and ineffective. Similar frameworks in the EU have failed to function properly. If an opt-out model is introduced, IAO demands an unwaivable right to fair remuneration, managed collectively and paid by AI companies to performers. We support the principle that AI must not exploit performers’ rights without explicit consent and fair remuneration for past, Many AI companies have already used protected content without permission. IAO insists that any reform must include compensation for this prior misuse. Burdening artists with the responsibility of registering their works to prevent unauthorized AI use is unacceptable. International copyright treaties prohibit such formalities.Sanctions for violations: AI companies that ignore opt-outs or infringe copyright should face strict legal consequences, including statutory damages.Economic impact: IAO warns that unregulated AI will lead to income loss for artists, devaluation of creative content, and significant job losses in the music industry.Transparency in AI training data: AI companies must be open about the sources used for training their models and comply with existing copyright laws. IAO urges UK policymakers to prioritize fairness for artists by ensuring AI companies cannot exploit creative content without proper compensation and legal safeguards.IAO President Nacho García Vega:-”In the UK, as in other territories such as the EU, the foundations are being laid for the legal framework that will govern the operation of AI in the coming years. Transparency, explicit consent from cultural creators to AI service providers that use their protected works to train AI models, as well as an appropriate remuneration system proportional to the benefit obtained from such services, are some of the general principles expressed by the IAO in its contribution to the consultation.” Read the full response here: ... See MoreSee Less

IAO’s Response to the UK IPO AI Consultation - IAO Music

www.iaomusic.org

We have responded to the UK consultation on copyright and artificial intelligence. We argue that AI poses a serious threat to artists’ rights and that the proposed measures do not provide sufficient...

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IAO (International Artist Organisation) Follow

The IAO provides an international voice to protect and promote the rights and interests of professional music artists, also known as 'Featured Artists'

IAO (International Artist Organisation) @iaomusicartists ·

31 Jan

We urge Spotify to address the problems listed in Lis Pelly’s book ”Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist” and join us in building a sustainable music industry!

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IAO (International Artist Organisation) @iaomusicartists ·

13 Dec

IAO Welcomes Commissioner Micallef!
Today, IAO and 60 European music organizations welcome Commissioner Micallef urging continued support for music as Europe’s diversity, culture, and economy. Let’s make music central to Europe’s cultural future!
https://www.iaomusic.org/iao-welcomes-commissioner-micallef/

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IAO (International Artist Organisation) @iaomusicartists ·

12 Dec

Level the Playing Field for European Artists!
European artists face unfair financial burdens when touring, while US artists enjoy generous exemptions.
IAO and EMMA, IMPALA, FIM, EMEE, Live DMA, and Liveurope call on the EU https://www.iaomusic.org/level-the-playing-field-for-european-artists/

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IAO (International Artist Organisation) @iaomusicartists ·

13 Nov

ARTISTS ENCOURAGED TO SPREAD REPORT TO EXPOSE THEIR HARSH REALITY
In a webinar the report Streams and Dreams 2 was presented, and it's clear how important it is to raise awareness of how bad the situation still is for artists today. Link below
https://www.iaomusic.org/streams-dreams-webinar

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Current campaigns

GECAT Pass

Sep 10, 2021

Getting ALL European artists back on the road Proposal for a cultural area permit scheme across multiple geographical groupings, July 2021 The European Union and its nearest neighbours across multiple geographical groupings share many aspects of aligned cultural and...

Music First

Jun 15, 2018

A campaign in the USA to demand fair market pay for all music on ALL radio platforms

Make Music Work

Jun 15, 2018

Music needs a fair and transparent marketplace for performers whether to protect cultural assets or encourage new growth

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