EJI - AI and Streaming Usage changes

EJI Adopts New Distribution Rules on AI and Streaming Usage

At the end of May 2025, Hungary’s performers’ rights organization EJI (Egyesület a Jogtulajdonosokért) amended its Distribution Regulations. These changes, adopted by the Delegate Assembly, reflect ongoing developments in the music and performing arts industry—particularly around artificial intelligence and the rise of streaming platforms.

Below, we summarize the two most notable updates.

1. Human Creativity Takes Precedence Over AI

The most significant change is the formal recognition that EJI will only protect performances created by humans. This principle is now the opening statement of the revised Distribution Rules. As EJI’s membership consists of musicians, actors, dancers, and other performing artists, the association aims to safeguard their creative contributions.

EJI is not banning AI outright. Instead, it acknowledges AI as a tool that, like previous analog and digital technologies, may be used in the recording process. However, for a performance to qualify for protection and royalty distribution, human contribution must remain essential and identifiable.

To support this, EJI has introduced a mechanism allowing the association—or an appointed party—to assess whether a recording contains AI-generated content that replaces human performance. This anticipates a future where distinguishing between human and synthetic performances may become increasingly complex—and relevant to royalty distribution.

2. Streaming Gains Greater Weight in Royalty Allocation

Reflecting the rapid growth of streaming in Hungary, EJI has adjusted how it allocates royalties, particularly for background music and private copy royalties for which it doesn’t receive playlists. 

The changes are as follows:

Royalty Type
Previously Based on Streaming
Now Based on Streaming
Private Copying Fees
8.5%
20.5%
Background Music Royalties
0%
40%
At the same time, EJI will allocate less background music royalties to the radio broadcasting category:

Royalty Type
Previously Based on Radio
Now Based on Radio
Private Copying Fees
62%
50%
Background Music Royalties
100%
60%
These adjustments acknowledge that streaming is now a dominant mode of music consumption, not only at home but also in commercial settings like shops and restaurants.

Further Reading

The full text of the amended Distribution Regulations is available here .