AI-Generated Music: Bandcamp Draws a Hard Line
What does it really mean to ‘keep music human’ in an AI-driven world?
In January 2026, Bandcamp, an online music distribution platform which describes itself as an online record store and music community, announced a formal ban on music and audio generated "wholly or in substantial part" by AI. The platform has also prohibited any use of AI tools “to impersonate other artists or styles”, aligning with its existing policies against impersonation and intellectual property infringement.
Commenting on the announcement, Bandcamp's General Manager, Dan Melnick, emphasized that Bandcamp is an “artist first platform”, explaining that music was not just about the result but also about the process and the lived experience of the musician. Dan Melnick made his view on AI-generated music clear, suggesting that: "Typing a prompt, getting a finished song, and calling yourself a musician is as meaningless as driving a car 26.2 miles and calling yourself a marathon runner."
Impersonation: A Case for Personality Rights in the UK?
The prohibition on AI impersonation treads familiar ground. We’ve commented previously on the demand by Jorja Smith's label for royalties from a viral hit that allegedly used Smith's voice without credit. Bandcamp's stance here is therefore in keeping with positions taken by others in the music industry. It also reflects an increased focus on the control of so-called personality or image rights, which was one of the topics mentioned in the UK government’s 2024/25 consultation on copyright and AI (although we’re yet to see the response from the UK government).
The Question of AI-Generated Works
Whether AI-generated music attracts copyright protection is a question that remains unresolved, at least for now. In general, the requirement for a sufficient level of human involvement (in order to deem a human the author) seems to serve as a common touchstone across jurisdictions - although what constitutes sufficient human involvement is far from settled.
It’s also worth noting that AI-assisted automation already pervades music creation, from pitch correction and time-stretching to vocal isolation and sound generation. Rather than ending human involvement or creativity, AI may simply become another tool in the artist's kit.
Enforcement: Easier Said Than Done
In practice, Bandcamp may face significant challenges in enforcing its new policy on AI. Bandcamp appears to rely on manual reporting and review - a notable limitation given that a recent study found 97% of participants in the study could not determine whether music tracks were wholly AI-generated.
Ban or Label?
Music platforms are splitting into two camps in respect of AI-generated music: outright bans versus mandatory labelling or disclosure. Deezer, for instance, launched an AI detection and tagging tool for music streaming in June 2025 to provide "full transparency" to listeners.
Critics of Bandcamp's approach may point to an uncomfortable irony: when the problem is advanced technology, a manual solution is unlikely to keep pace. It remains to be seen if Deezer's AI solution to an AI problem proves more effective in practice.
