HIMA AI & Authorship Guidelines
The Hollywood Independent Music Awards celebrates human creativity and performance. AI tools are welcome as part of the production process, but HIMA awards recognize music that is fundamentally created and performed by people.
1. Human Authorship (Composition)
- The core musical elements—melody, lyrics, and harmonic structure—must be created by a human.
- Works generated primarily or entirely by generative AI music systems (e.g., “type a prompt, get a finished composition” tools such as Suno, Udio, etc.) are not eligible.
- AI may be used as a tool (e.g., for idea exploration, arranging, sound design, or production assistance), but it cannot be the original author of the composition.
2. Human Performance (Recording)
- The primary lead vocal(s) must be performed by a human.
- At least one primary musical part (e.g., guitar, piano, bass, drums, or other main instrument) must be performed, programmed, or sequenced by a human.
- AI-generated performances (e.g., fully AI‑sung vocals or entirely AI‑performed backing tracks) may be used as supporting elements, but the main artistic performances must be human.
3. Proof of Authorship and Registration (If Requested)
- Copyright registration is not required to submit music for HIMA consideration.
- However, if requested, artists should be able to provide documentation of their U.S. Copyright Office registration for:
- the underlying composition (Form PA), and
- the sound recording (Form SR).
- Equivalent documentation from other countries’ copyright offices may also be accepted.
4. AI Use and Verification
- The HIMA may, at its discretion, use AI-detection or similar tools to help verify eligibility.
- Entrants may be asked to describe how AI tools were used in their creative process.
- AI is welcome as a supporting tool in arranging, recording, mixing, or mastering—but not as the primary composer or lead performer.
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