Big record companies, including Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Records, have filed lawsuits against artificial intelligence song-generators Suno and Udio for copyright infringement. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced the legal actions on Monday, with one case filed in federal court in Boston against Suno AI and the other in New York against Uncharted Labs, the developer of Udio AI.
The RIAA alleges that these AI music startups are exploiting the recorded works of artists ranging from Chuck Berry to Mariah Carey. Suno AI CEO Mikey Shulman defended the technology, stating that it is designed to generate entirely new outputs and does not allow users to reference specific artists. Shulman expressed disappointment that the labels did not engage in a good faith discussion and instead resorted to legal action.
Udio AI has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit. RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier emphasized that the music industry is already collaborating with responsible AI developers but criticized unlicensed services like Suno and Udio for copying an artist’s life’s work without consent or compensation, hindering the promise of genuinely innovative AI.
The use of AI in the music industry has sparked debates, ranging from its creative possibilities to concerns about its legality. In March, Tennessee became the first U.S. state to pass legislation aimed at protecting songwriters, performers, and other music industry professionals from potential risks associated with artificial intelligence. Over 200 artists signed an open letter in April, submitted by the non-profit organization Artist Rights Alliance, urging AI tech companies, developers, and digital music services to refrain from infringing upon and devaluing the rights of human artists.