UMG and Sony Sue Suno Over AI Training, Plus Other Music Legal Updates
Universal Music Group and Sony Music have filed a lawsuit against Suno, alleging wholesale theft of copyrighted music for AI training. The suit adds tens of thousands of songs to an existing battle and raises new fair use arguments. Other legal news includes Drake's appeal and Diddy's legal shakeup.
The lawsuit escalates an existing copyright battle, adding tens of thousands of tracks to the claims against Suno. The labels specifically target Suno's newly launched AI model, which was announced alongside a Warner Music partnership, arguing that this new technology stems from the same allegedly unlawful training practices. The case now hinges on fair use arguments that could set precedent for how AI companies handle copyrighted music.
Elsewhere in music law, Drake secured a December appellate date in his defamation case against UMG over Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us." Diddy parted ways with longtime civil lawyers amid payment disputes, while Smokey Robinson has cycled through three attorneys in three months. A London man received a three-year prison sentence for counterfeit vinyl production.
This lawsuit could reshape how AI music platforms operate, potentially forcing them to license training data or face liability. If the labels prevail, it may establish that using copyrighted songs for AI training requires permission and payment, affecting startups and tech giants alike. Artists and songwriters stand to gain clearer protections, while consumers may see fewer AI-generated imitations. The outcome could influence broader creative industries wrestling with similar questions about artificial intelligence and intellectual property.