Major music labels such as Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Group have filed lawsuits against AI startups Suno and Udio for allegedly infringing on copyrighted works. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is leading the charge to establish that AI technology is not exempt from copyright law and that AI companies must adhere to industry rules.
The lawsuits claim that Suno and Udio scraped copyrighted tracks from the internet to train their music-generating software. The music labels are seeking injunctions against future use and damages of up to $150,000 per infringed work. The lawsuits aim to set a precedent that licensed training is the only acceptable framework for AI in the music industry and to deter companies from using copyrighted material without consent.
Suno and Udio are startups that use AI to generate music based on text inputs. The RIAA alleges that the songs produced by these AI services closely resemble existing works by artists such as The Temptations, Green Day, Mariah Carey, and others. One example cited in the lawsuit involves an AI tool reproducing a song that sounded nearly identical to Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” using specific criteria and lyrics from the original track.
While the RIAA does not condemn all AI training on copyrighted works, it stresses the importance of obtaining proper licensing and consent from copyright holders. The recording industry is working on AI deals that ensure fair compensation for artists and labels, such as the agreement between Universal and SoundLabs for creating vocal models for artists while maintaining ownership rights.
Suno co-founder Mikey Shulman maintains that the company’s practices are legal and align with industry standards. The AI industry as a whole is rapidly advancing towards a point where accountability for training models on copyrighted material may become more challenging to enforce.
In conclusion, the ongoing legal battle between major music labels and AI startups highlights the need for clear guidelines and regulations regarding the use of copyrighted material in AI-generated content. As technology continues to evolve, it is essential for companies to prioritize ethical and legal practices to protect the rights of content creators and copyright holders.
