After securing a similar partnership with Udio, Warner Music Group (WMG) has now finalized terms with Suno, enabling the AI platform to access licenses for its artists' recordings and personal attributes while halting the ongoing court battle. Earlier, WMG joined other major labels in filing suits against Udio and Suno, accusing them of widespread violations of copyright protections.
Under the terms, musicians and composers gain complete authority to decide on the inclusion of their identities, appearances, vocal elements, and creative works in AI-produced tracks, according to WMG's official statement. The company leaves the mechanics for affected creators unspecified, though it indicates an opt-in approach rather than automatic involvement, consistent with the Udio arrangement.
WMG's chief executive, Robert Kyncl, stated that artificial intelligence supports creators when it follows key guidelines: employing authorized training data, acknowledging music's worth in various settings, and offering voluntary participation for artists' personal and compositional elements in AI compositions.
As part of the collaboration, Suno plans updates to its AI tool, likely mandated by the accord. WMG notes that Suno intends to introduce enhanced, authorized AI systems in 2026, phasing out existing versions. Additionally, downloads will be restricted to subscribers only, with free users able to listen and distribute tracks but not save them, while premium members face monthly limits and options to purchase extra capacity.
In an unexpected development, Suno is purchasing WMG's Songkick service for locating live events. Operations will persist under Suno's management, and WMG suggests the integration could foster stronger bonds between performers and audiences. While a concert locator app seems mismatched with Suno's song-generation focus, it might hint at future expansions into community-oriented functionalities.
Before this settlement, Suno had acknowledged training its AI using virtually every decent-quality audio file available online, claiming protection under fair use doctrine. This disclosure raised clear concerns about intellectual property breaches, yet WMG evidently favors these negotiated outcomes over potential courtroom victories. The label is said to be pursuing comparable pacts with YouTube among other entities.