CISAC's 2025 Annual Report has been launched

CISAC is the global umbrella organization for collective management societies and represents over 225 organizations in more than 110 countries – including TONO and BONO here in Norway. The annual report provides a good overview of the international work to strengthen and protect the rights of composers, lyricists, songwriters, visual artists and other creative artist groups.

Also read Björn Ulvaeus' foreword in CISAC's annual report here «LET the AI ​​revolution come – but one that respects the rights of the creators» (tono.no)

Artificial intelligence and copyright

One of the main themes of this year's report is generative artificial intelligence, and how it challenges established principles of copyright and distribution of remuneration. An economic study conducted for CISAC, and published in the fall of 2024, shows that a lack of political regulation could, in the worst case, lead to a loss of income of up to 24 percent for music creators by 2028.

CISAC President Björn Ulvaeus writes in his foreword to the report that he is both hopeful and concerned:

– Authors are not afraid of artificial intelligence, but they have good reason to fear that their rights and income base will be weakened. This is not just about justice – it is also about economic sense. Let us embrace the AI ​​revolution, but in a way that safeguards the rights of authors, says Ulvaeus.

CISAC is now actively working internationally to ensure that AI development takes place in a safe, transparent and fair framework, where human creators still have control over their own works – and the right to fair payment.

Technology development, data quality and campaigns

• Modernization of CIS-Net, the global system for data exchange between management companies, with a target completion date of 2027.
• New measures against fraud, with the establishment of common practices to combat false work registrations.
• Continuation of ISWC-ISRC linkage, for faster and more accurate international settlement.
• Campaigns for fair remuneration for audiovisual creators and visual artists' resale rights.

The report also marks the end of Marcelo Castello Branco’s term as CISAC Chairman. A new chairman will be announced at the General Assembly in Sofia on 28 May.

TONO's international work

– TONO has a long-standing and active international commitment, and CISAC is central to this work. Through CISAC, we participate in important international forums and contribute to strengthening the framework conditions for composers, lyricists and music publishers. This concerns, not least, the work to protect copyright in the face of new and complex challenges such as artificial intelligence. CISAC's annual report provides a good overview of the important work the organization does for, and on behalf of, creators around the world, says Inger Elise Mey, Department Director for International at TONO.

The annual report can be downloaded in its entirety from CISAC's website:
Download the report from the CISAC website