AI is changing how we make music. For a lot of independent artists and producers, it feels like a creative breakthrough. Tools like Suno and Udio can take your ideas and turn them into full productions in minutes. 

But with that creative freedom comes one big question every songwriter should be asking:
 

Who actually owns the music when AI is part of the process?

If you are writing and producing music using AI, this is something you need to understand before releasing tracks or pitching them for sync placements. Copyright law is still catching up, but there are ways to make sure your work stays protected and legally yours.

Understanding The Two Copyrights

Every song you create has two copyrights.
 

The first is the composition, which includes the lyrics, melody, and chord progression. If you wrote those, they belong to you. You can register your songs with your performing rights organization (ASCAP, BMI, SOCAN, etc.) just like you always have.
 

The second is the sound recording, which is the actual production and audio that people hear. This is where AI can create confusion.
 

If you simply type something like “make a song in the style of The Weeknd” and publish whatever comes out, you don’t own that recording. It is considered AI-generated. 

But if you wrote the song, created the structure, made creative decisions, and used AI as a tool to bring your vision to life, that recording is AI-assisted, and you still own it.

How Much Human Input Do You Need To Own The Recording

The law focuses on one key question:
 

Did a human make the creative decisions that shaped the final work?

If you wrote the song, guided the process, selected the best takes, arranged the sections, and approved the final mix, then that qualifies as human authorship. You are the creative director, not just a user of a tool.
 

Think about it like using a synthesizer or drum machine. You don’t question ownership just because technology helped you make the sound. AI is similar. It is another kind of instrument that responds to prompts instead of keys or knobs. The moment you start shaping what it creates, the work becomes yours.

How To Protect Your Work Right Now

Because the laws are still being developed, it is smart to document everything you do. Keep your lyrics, chord charts, and melody demos, but also save your prompts, screenshots, and versions of each track. If you ever need to prove authorship, this kind of documentation will show that you created and directed the music.
 

Here is a simple system you can follow:

• Keep a notes file in each project folder that includes your prompts and production ideas.
• Take screenshots of your Suno or Udio sessions that show your inputs.
• Save your stems and final masters with version numbers.
• Register both the composition and the recording, stating that the track was created with AI tools under your direction.
   

This kind of organization takes a few extra minutes but can protect your work for years to come.

Why This Matters For Sync Licensing

If you are pitching for sync, this becomes even more important. Music supervisors and libraries need clarity. They have to know exactly who owns the music they license. If you can show that you are the sole author and that your work is human-directed, you remove their biggest concern.
 

When pitching, you can use language like this:
 

“This track was written and produced by Aaron Davison under the artist name Future’s Past. The music was created using AI tools under my human creative direction. I control both the master and publishing rights.”

That one sentence tells them everything they need to know. It communicates professionalism, ownership, and zero risk.

Where Things Are Headed

Over the next few years, copyright offices will likely start formally recognizing AI-assisted works as long as there is evidence of human authorship. The technology will evolve, but the basic rule will stay the same. The person making the creative choices is the author.
 

This is good news for musicians. As long as you are writing songs, guiding production, and making decisions, you will continue to own your catalog. AI may speed up the process, but it doesn’t take away your authorship.
 

The real opportunity is creative. The artists who blend human emotion with AI innovation are going to lead the next generation of music. Those who also document their process and register their works properly will own that future.

Final Thoughts

AI is not replacing songwriters. It is expanding what’s possible for them. It is another tool that can help you move ideas from your imagination into reality faster than ever before. The key is understanding how to stay in control of your work.

If you write your songs, make the creative choices, and use AI as an assistant instead of a replacement, your art will always belong to you. Protect it, register it, and keep creating.

AI Music Authorship Checklist

We've added a new document in The AI Resource section inside HTLYM Premium, the AI Music Authorship Checklist, you can download and use in your own workflow. It’s a simple one-page guide that helps you document your creative process, register your works, and keep your catalog legally protected as AI keeps evolving.