Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Records recently filed lawsuits against AI music-synthesis companies Udio and Suno for allegedly using recordings owned by the labels to train their AI models. The lawsuits claim that this mass copyright infringement could lead to AI-generated music that competes with and devalues the work of human artists. The record labels are seeking damages of up to $150,000 per song used in training.
These AI companies, like many others, rely on existing human-created artworks to train their neural networks. However, the sources of their training data have been intentionally vague. In the past, it was common practice to use copyrighted information without permission, but as these technologies have become commercial products, rightsholders are now seeking reparation.
The lawsuits cite examples of AI-generated content that allegedly mimic elements of well-known songs and vocals of famous artists like Michael Jackson and Bruce Springsteen. This is the first instance of lawsuits targeting music-generating AI specifically, but the music industry has been preparing for challenges posed by AI technology for some time.
Sony Music previously sent warning letters to over 700 AI companies, prohibiting the use of its music for training AI models. Over 200 musical artists have also signed an open letter urging AI companies to respect the rights of human artists. Universal Music previously filed a lawsuit against Anthropic for including artists’ lyrics in training data.
The outcome of these lawsuits could have significant implications for the future of generative AI in creative fields. Requiring companies to license all musical training data used in AI models could make development economically impractical for small startups like Udio and Suno. This may lead to major labels controlling generative music tools, limiting access to only large corporations.
In conclusion, the music industry is grappling with the challenges posed by AI technology and copyright infringement. The outcome of these lawsuits will shape the future development of generative AI in music and creative fields, potentially impacting the accessibility of these tools. It remains to be seen how the industry will balance innovation with protecting the rights of artists in the digital age.
