The 2026 AIMP Global Music Publishing Summit brought together publishers, songwriters, attorneys, and technology leaders on June 9 at Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus in New York City. The event, held during a week that also includes A2IM Indie Week and the Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards, gave independent publishers rare direct access to U.S. Copyright Office leadership and a keynote from songwriter Glen Ballard.
Hosted by the Association of Independent Music Publishers, the annual Summit focused on the future of music publishing amid rapid technological change. Sessions covered artificial intelligence, global market growth, sync licensing, and creator rights.
Copyright Office tackles AI and authorship
Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights, and Emily L. Chapuis, General Counsel, addressed a room of independent publishers and rights professionals. Perlmutter said the Copyright Office remains "very much here, very active, very productive," and "still dedicated to the mission of promoting creativity." Chapuis discussed the Office's role in addressing AI-generated works, royalty administration, and copyright policy. The conversation, moderated by Art Levy of Songtradr, gave attendees direct insight into how the Office is approaching the intersection of technology and authorship.
Glen Ballard credits publishers for his career
Legendary songwriter and producer Glen Ballard, known for work with Alanis Morissette, Michael Jackson, and Aerosmith, told attendees: "I wouldn't be here without a publisher." In a keynote conversation with Concord's Tom DeSavia, Ballard described the creation of Morissette's Jagged Little Pill as "a book of short stories" born from a few intense writing sessions. He emphasized curiosity, persistence, and a daily creative practice as central to his career.
Melanie Santa Rosa, President of the AIMP New York Chapter, said the Summit exceeded expectations. "Hearing Glen Ballard talk about what publishers meant to his career, in a room full of independent publishers, hit differently," she said.
AI, global growth, and sync dominate discussions
Multiple panels focused on artificial intelligence, but speakers avoided speculation in favor of practical uses. The AI For Good session explored how AI is already being used for catalog administration, metadata management, fraud detection, and royalty tracking. Speakers stressed that AI for Creatives must stay under human oversight. Global growth was another theme, with panelists from Latin America, South Asia, and Africa emphasizing the need for local expertise and cross-border collaboration. A sync licensing session drew active participation, with attendees asking about pitching, pricing, metadata, and AI-assisted songs. Panelists said success in sync depends on preparation, patience, and complete rights information.
For songwriters and vocal artists adapting to these changes, an AI Learning Path for Vocal Artists & Songwriters offers structured guidance on AI's role in music.
Why this matters for Creatives
The Summit gave independent publishers and songwriters direct access to the Register of Copyrights at a time when AI and streaming are reshaping rights management. Ballard's keynote reinforced that strong publisher relationships remain vital for career longevity. The practical AI discussions showed that technology is already affecting daily operations like royalty tracking and sync pitching. For creators, the message was clear: understanding these tools and maintaining human-centered creative partnerships will be essential as the industry evolves.
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