In collaboration with multiple partners, GEMA has just launched a curated, customisable music dataset for AI tool providers: PLAI by GEMA. The dataset was developed specifically for training AI applications, combining high-quality music data with the rights required to use it. PLAI by GEMA is the first product of its kind in Europe: the scalable dataset bundles sound files, comprehensive metadata, copyright and master rights in a single-source solution. The product is aimed at providers of AI music tools for assisting music creators through the production process whose output does not compete with the works used for AI training purposes.
Klangio, an innovative provider of AI music tools based in Karlsruhe, Germany, has immediately adopted PLAI by GEMA. The company is using the high-quality music dataset – which includes around 178,000 sound files across more than 60 genres – to train its AI applications. GEMA can precisely curate the training data to meet each customer’s specific needs. Regardless of genre, mood or use case, the PLAI by GEMA music dataset fulfils both the technical and legal requirements of state-of-the-art AI tools. The solution was developed in partnership with Bailer Music Publishing, Earmotion Audio Creation, Intervox Production Music, Music Sculptor and Sonoton Music. Other publishers, collecting societies, music creators and rights holders are welcome to join the growing ecosystem at any time.
“With PLAI by GEMA, we’re making music content for training AI tools easier to access than ever before. Instead of having to navigate complex legal agreements, AI tool providers can now obtain high-quality music data, as well as the rights required to use it, from a single source. This provides developers with legal certainty and opens up new earning opportunities for music creators. With PLAI by GEMA, we’re showing that AI training and fair remuneration for creative artists are not mutually exclusive. When both sides are interested in dealing with each other fairly and responsibly, we can find solutions that work for everybody and enable innovation to happen on a solid legal basis,” explains Thomas Theune, GEMA’s Director of Broadcasting/Online.
The key benefits of PLAI by GEMA at a glance:
- All-in-one service Bundled copyright and master rights available from a single source – including sound files and metadata. AI tool providers obtain everything they need for legally compliant training without having to engage in the time-consuming process of obtaining approved rights themselves.
- Legally compliant training data GEMA-certified content is a dependable alternative to ethically and legally dubious content collection practices such as web scraping.
- Fair remuneration for music creators All contributing rights holders receive proportionate, appropriate remuneration. In turn, this creates a sustainable basis for collaboration between the high-tech and creative sectors.
- Flexible data bundles Training data can be customised to meet specific model requirements and use cases.
- Reputational benefits Ethically uncompromised data collection sends a positive message to public and partners.
Klangio: the first company to adopt PLAI by GEMA
Based in Karlsruhe, Germany, Klangio develops AI-driven solutions for automatic music transcription. Using Klangio Transcription Studio, musicians and producers can automatically convert entire music recordings, across a wide range of instruments, into high-quality, immediately playable scores or lead sheets. The software is used by music teachers, creative professionals and artists around the world, making the company a pioneer in Artificial Auditory Intelligence. As GEMA’s first reference partner, Klangio is now systematically using the new GEMA music dataset to train its systems on legally approved, high-quality music data from the GEMA repertoire.
“Just like us, our customers are part of the music industry. That’s why fairness and legal certainty are such major concerns for us. With the GEMA music dataset, we’ve found the solution we were waiting for – training data with an impeccable legal status, and with all the relevant rights already covered. This gives us the confidence to go on developing our AI tools on a solid foundation. It also shows that fair remuneration and innovative AI development are perfectly compatible,” comments Sebastian Murgul, CEO of Klangio GmbH.
GEMA: a constructive partner for AI tool and service providers
With this new music data solution, GEMA is further strengthening its position as a constructive influence in the age of AI. The product is proof that it is perfectly practical to remunerate creators for AI training content – as long as all parties involved are willing to make it happen.
“We’re the first collecting society not just to develop a licensing model, but also to bring an actual product to market. This creates clarity for all AI tool providers: companies in need of legally compliant training data for AI input have a dependable partner in GEMA,” explains Dr. Kai Welp, General Counsel for GEMA. “With respect to licensing for providers of generative AI services, we’re hoping for a positive ruling in our case against SUNO on July 31. It’s important to make it absolutely clear that the use of creative works must be remunerated, regardless of where the training takes place or which systems the original works are stored on. Yes, this needs rulings by the courts, but also and above all, it needs the necessary political framework.”
By making it possible to train models using legally approved content and then process this content to generate music-related products, PLAI by GEMA addresses the issue of AI input by AI tool providers. Questions regarding the licensing obligations of providers of generative AI services remain unaffected by this product launch and are the subject of an ongoing lawsuit against SUNO before the Munich Regional Court. A ruling in this case is expected on July 31, 2026. GEMA has already won a lawsuit against OpenAI back in November 2025, again before the Munich Regional Court.
For further information, visit GEMA’s website at PLAI by GEMA and KI Hub (English version will follow soon).
In Germany, GEMA represents the copyright interests of more than 100,000 members (composers, lyricists and music publishers), as well as over two million owners of intellectual property rights worldwide. GEMA is one of the world’s largest collecting societies for creators of musical works.
Klangio GmbH is a music software company based in Karlsruhe that specialises in the development of AI-driven tools for transcribing music. The company was founded in 2018 by Sebastian Murgul and Alexander Lüngen, and is one of the leading providers of Artificial Auditory Intelligence software and services. For further details, visit www.klang.io
Press contacts:
Kathrin Greven, GEMA, Director of Communications
Phone: +49 89 48003-421
E-mail: kommunikation@gema.de
Steve Bailey, Hummingbird Media, Inc. (PR agency, on behalf of Klangio)
Phone: +1 508 596-9321
E-mail: steve@hummingbirdmedia.com