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
Protecting the rights of creators and artists in the development of generative AI
We are writing to you on behalf of a coalition of professional organisations representing the collective voice of hundreds of thousands of writers, translators, journalists, performers, composers, songwriters, screen directors, screenwriters, visual artists, and other artists and creative workers.
IAO Statement on AI Licensing, Equity Stakes, and Market Distortion by Major Labels
IAO (International Artist Organisation) expresses deep concern over recent reports that major record labels are negotiating licensing agreements with generative AI music companies, such as Suno and Udio, which include not only royalty terms but also demands for equity...
AI: Stay true to the Act
The third draft of the GPAI Code of Practice undermines the objectives of the AI Act, contravenes EU law and ignores the intention of the EU legislator – we cannot support it.
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Protecting the rights of creators and artists in the development of generative AI - IAO Music
www.iaomusic.org
We are writing to you on behalf of a coalition of professional organisations representing the collective voice of hundreds of thousands of writers, translators, journalists, performers, composers, son...
Joint Letter to JURI Committee (19 June 2025):
Creator and performer groups urge action on generative AI, demanding consent, fair pay, clear TDM rules, transparency, and protection of rights, data, and moral integrity.
IAO warns: major labels’ AI deals risk market distortion.
Key issues:
– Conflicts of interest
– Distorted competition
– Unlicensed use of performances
– No transparency or consent
Artists must have a say.
IAO celebra que @EU_Commission investigue la compra de Downtown por UMG. Pedimos a @Teresaribera que actúe para proteger la competencia y la diversidad musical.
– Nacho García Vega, Presidente de IAO
IAO welcomes @EU_Commission's probe into UMG's planned takeover of Downtown. This move risks market concentration and harms indie labels & artists. We urge @Teresaribera to act firmly to protect fair competition and diversity in the music sector.
–Nacho García Vega, IAO President
Current campaigns
GECAT Pass
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
A campaign in the USA to demand fair market pay for all music on ALL radio platforms
Make Music Work
Music needs a fair and transparent marketplace for performers whether to protect cultural assets or encourage new growth
