SoundCloud will scan music for infringement when uploaded

SoundCloud has entered into an agreement with Zefr, a company that has developed an algorithm to recognize the authors of video and music files. SoundCloud wants to recognize illegal material with the software, but not necessarily block it.

Zefr’s software is already used by Google on its YouTube platform and the deal with SoundCloud has given the company a large customer. Zefr’s software enables SoundCloud to recognize copyrighted music files that users upload.

According to The Verge, SoundCloud can use Zefr’s algorithms to ban copyrighted music from its platform, but it is also possible that the music service wants to give record companies the opportunity to advertise specifically. For example, the Zefr software could notify a music publisher if tracks or parts of tracks, for example in a remix, are recognized, after which the company can place advertisements. This model is already being worked on on YouTube and SoundCloud introduced an advertising model in August last year.