Music Authors Copyright Protection (MACP) Berhad, a collective management organisation (CMO) representing local and international songwriters, has introduced new guidelines governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music creation and registration.

The guidelines set out principles aimed at safeguarding works created by human authors. According to MACP, original works produced entirely by humans — demonstrating sufficient labour and skill — are eligible for copyright protection.

“Copyright originates from the lived experience of qualified authors — not from code,” the body emphasised.

Under the new policy, only works fully created by humans — including lyrics, melodies, harmonies and arrangements — are eligible for registration with MACP, as well as royalty collection and distribution. 

Fully or partially AI-generated works, including those created using AI tools, are not eligible for submission.

MACP further stated that only human-created works can carry authorship, ownership and the right to protection and remuneration. This position aligns with Malaysia’s Copyright Act 1987, which recognises only natural persons as authors.

The organisation also reiterated that copyright owners must retain exclusive control over how their works are used. Any use of copyrighted material by AI companies requires prior consent from rights holders and must be subject to fair remuneration through free-market licensing arrangements to preserve the value of human creativity.

The guidelines will remain in effect until Malaysia finalises copyright legislation specifically addressing the impact of AI on the creation and ownership of creative works.

“These guidelines may be updated from time to time in response to changes in applicable laws or practices,” the body said.

The announcement comes amid renewed public discussion around AI-generated music. Recently, an AI-generated version of “Cinta Tersimpul Rapi” originally released in 1999 by Anis Suraya, surfaced online through an account known as Jane In Heaven and climbed to the No. 1 spot on the Malaysia iTunes Top Songs chart —outperforming several major regional and international releases. 

The development sparked both outrage and support among music fans across the country, further intensifying the debate over AI-generated music and its place within the industry.

Readers can access the full MACP guidelines via the organisation’s official website.