ElevenLabs, known for its voice generation software, is entering risky territory by launching a new music service called Eleven Music. However, the startup hopes to avoid the legal battles facing its competitors by training its model on licensed works, providing legal cover for widespread commercial use.
Article contents:
- Eleven Music launch: On-demand music
- Legal cover: The key differentiator
- Built-in safeguards
- Who will use this music?
- Challenges ahead: Competition and opposition
- Artist opposition
- Conclusion: Will ElevenLabs succeed where others might fail?
- Frequently asked questions
Eleven Music launch: On-demand music
The startup ElevenLabs announced that it has launched a new service called Eleven Music, which allows individuals and businesses to generate their own music using its artificial intelligence model. Users enter a simple English prompt, such as “create a calm 1960s-style jazz song with strong lyrics, but relaxing for a Friday afternoon,” and the startup’s AI model generates a tune within minutes, complete with vocals and instruments.
Legal cover: The key differentiator
With this launch, ElevenLabs is entering a risky field where major music companies have already sued two music generation startups, Suno and Udio, for their alleged use of copyrighted works to train their artificial intelligence. Mati Staniszewski, co-founder and CEO of ElevenLabs, said the three-year-old startup has a deal with the Merlin Network, a digital rights agency for independent companies, to train its model on the works of artists represented by Merlin. ElevenLabs has a similar deal with Kobalt Music Group.
These deals give AI-generated music legal cover for widespread commercial use, which Staniszewski hopes will be a major competitive advantage.
Built-in safeguards
ElevenLabs said it has also built safeguards that prevent its model from creating songs with specific artist names, or lyrics from a specific album or company. It also blocks words that could incite violence, or be obscene or illegal.
Who will use this music?
Eleven Music targets both businesses and creators, allowing them to produce their own music for commercial projects or creative pursuits without needing to hire a composer or pay for a restricted-use license from a major company. AI-generated music can be used in film, television, and gaming, as well as fitness and meditation apps, commercials, and other uses known as production music.
Challenges ahead: Competition and opposition
ElevenLabs faces challenges—not only from competitors like Suno and Udio, but from the broader creative community that wants to protect its work from AI. There is also the risk of public backlash when companies use AI-generated music, as many continue to view it as a threat to human jobs.
Artist opposition
Elizabeth Matthews, CEO of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), said: «Artificial intelligence can be a tool for innovation, but only if tech companies play fairly and respect the rights of human creators. Permitting the unauthorized use of copyrighted works to train generative AI models for commercial purposes will threaten the livelihoods of millions of American music creators.»
Conclusion: Will ElevenLabs succeed where others might fail?
By taking a proactive approach to securing licenses and legal data to train its model, ElevenLabs is positioning itself in a potentially safer legal position than its competitors. If it succeeds in convincing creators and businesses that its music is not only high quality but also legally risk-free, it may be able to carve out a successful path in this new and controversial market.
Frequently asked questions
Is the generated music legal for commercial use?
ElevenLabs claims that it is, because its model is trained on music licensed through deals with rights agencies like the Merlin Network and Kobalt, providing it with legal cover.
What is the difference between ElevenLabs and companies like Suno and Udio?
The alleged main difference is the legal foundation. Suno and Udio face lawsuits from major music companies for their alleged use of copyrighted music without permission, while ElevenLabs is trying to avoid this by pre-licensing data.
Can I create a song using the voice of a famous artist?
No, the company says it has built safeguards that prevent its model from creating songs with specific artist names or imitating their voices.
