AI Song Generator Startups Suno and Udio Angered the Music Industry. Now They’re Hoping to Join It

Suno and Udio, two artificial intelligence song generation start-ups, face copyright infringement lawsuits from major record labels while simultaneously attempting to establish licensing agreements within the music industry. These companies, which allow users to create music from textual descriptions without traditional musical skills, have prompted a contentious debate over intellectual property rights and the future of music creation. The Associated Press reports on this ongoing friction.

Credit: SUNO

Major record labels, including Sony Music, Universal Music, and Warner Records, initiated legal action against both Suno and Udio in 2024. These lawsuits allege that the start-ups trained their AI models on copyrighted musical works without permission, thereby exploiting the recorded creations of professional musicians. The legal disputes are proceeding in Boston and New York federal courts.

But, despite these legal challenges, the companies have pursued discussions with the industry they are accused of infringing upon. Suno, now valued at USD 2.45 billion, reached a settlement with Warner Records last year. Udio has also secured licensing agreements, signing deals with Warner, Universal, and independent label Merlin. Sony, however, remains an unsettled party in the ongoing litigation against both AI music generators.

The first of these industry agreements, specifically between Udio and Universal, led to discontent among some Udio users. Reports indicate that these users encountered difficulties downloading their previously generated AI tracks following the settlement terms. Andrew Sanchez, Udio chief executive, expressed optimism that the company could adapt its business model, allowing fans of participating artists to use AI to interact with and potentially modify existing works.

Suno co-founder Mikey Shulman stated that collaborating with the music industry, rather than opposing it, represents the only viable path forward. He suggested that music holds significant cultural importance, implying a need to bridge the perceived divide between AI and non-AI generated music. Shulman established Suno in 2022.

Mr. Shulman previously made comments that "it's not really enjoyable" to make music most of the time, which further alienated segments of the professional music community. He clarified that his remarks referred to the repetitive aspects of music production rather than the overall creative process, stating he plays music for enjoyment daily. Mr. Shulman began piano lessons at age four and later played bass guitar in rock bands through college.

Singer-songwriter Tift Merritt, co-chair of the Artists Rights Alliance, has helped to organise a campaign titled "Stealing Isn't Innovation." This initiative gathered support from various artists, including Cyndi Lauper and Bonnie Raitt. The campaign urges AI companies to seek legitimate licensing deals and partnerships, rather than developing platforms without adhering to existing copyright laws.

Ms. Merritt articulated that the AI music economy appears built upon the global intellectual property of musicians. She argued that this process occurs without transparency, consent, or appropriate compensation for artists. And, she asserted that while AI companies value their own intellectual property, musicians' creations have been consumed to facilitate artist replacement.

Andrew Sanchez, Udio's chief executive, states that maintaining a close relationship with the music industry is fundamental to his organisation. He highlighted that users seek a connection to their preferred artists and songs. Udio was founded in 2023 by former Google AI researchers and employs approximately 25 people.

Christopher "Topher" Townsend, a musician from Philadelphia, Mississippi, uses AI to create and promote Billboard-charting gospel music. Mr. Townsend, who uses ChatGPT for lyrics and Suno for song generation, launched a fictional singer named Solomon Ray in Oct. He stated that Solomon Ray, an extension of himself, possesses an "immaculate voice," requires no leave, and operates faster than a human.

Jonathan Wyner, a professor of music production and engineering at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, views generative AI as an additional tool for musicians. He indicated that AI offers significant benefits, including streamlining processes and enabling new forms of music creation, thereby increasing accessibility for individuals interested in making music.

Ms. Merritt remains concerned that record labels might enter agreements with AI companies that exclude independent artists. An open letter she co-signed criticised Suno as a "smash and grab" operation that artists should avoid. The letter differentiated between responsible AI tools and platforms like Suno, which are currently facing copyright infringement suits.

• Suno and Udio face copyright infringement lawsuits from major record labels.

• Both AI music start-ups have secured licensing agreements with various labels, excluding Sony Music.

• Musicians are divided on AI's role, with some viewing it as a tool and others as a threat to intellectual property.

• Start-up executives maintain that industry collaboration is essential for AI music's development.

  
  

Source: AP News