Warner Music Group announced a licensing partnership with Suno, a platform where users can generate realistic music using AI.
The deal aims to protect artists’ rights and prevent copyright issues as more AI-generated music is created. It also settles Warner Music Group’s copyright lawsuit against the AI startup.
Artists will have full control over how their creations and likeness are used in AI-generated music, such as voices or lyrics.
The companies will collaborate on licensed AI music which will “open new revenue opportunities for artists and songwriters,” a statement from Warner Music Group read.
Settling the Disputes
Warner Music Group established a similar partnership this week with Udio, another AI music generator. This collaboration allows Udio’s models to train on existing, human-produced music, while the artists’ rights remain protected. This partnership also settled the lawsuit between Warner Music Group and Udio.
As part of the deal with Suno, Suno will also acquire Songkick, a concert discovery platform owned by Warner Music Group.
Suno announced that the platform will be revamped with new and improved licensing models in 2026, replacing the current models. The platform will then have more restrictions on downloads, including that only subscription-paying users will be able to download audio. Paid account users will also have limits on how much audio can be downloaded each month.
Suno’s Copyright Infringement Accusations
Suno was sued by major record labels last year, who claimed the startup was stealing recorded content from artists without permission. The labels involved in the lawsuit included Universal Music Group, Sony Entertainment, and Warner Music Group.
At the time of the lawsuit, Suno’s chief executive officer stated that the platform was designed to create completely new music, rather than “memorise and regurgitate pre-existing content”.
“Our partnership with Warner Music unlocks a bigger, richer Suno experience for music lovers, and accelerates our mission to change the place of music in the world by making it more valuable to billions of people.” said Mikey Shulman, CEO, Suno. “This means we’ll be rolling out new, more robust features for creation, opportunities to collaborate and interact with some of the most talented musicians in the world, all while continuing to build the biggest music ecosystem possible.”
