Warner Music & Suno AI: Deal Reached After Lawsuit

Warner Music Group and Suno Reach Copyright Settlement

Warner Music Group (WMG) revealed on Tuesday an agreement reached with Suno, effectively resolving their copyright dispute concerning the AI music startup.

According to a WMG press statement, the collaboration with Suno is designed to “pioneer new avenues in musical creation, engagement, and discovery,” all while ensuring fair compensation and protection for artists, songwriters, and the broader creative landscape.

Sale of Songkick to Suno

Alongside the settlement, WMG announced the sale of Songkick, a platform focused on live music and concert discovery, to Suno for an undisclosed sum.

WMG initially acquired Songkick’s application and branding in 2017. Subsequently, Live Nation took over Songkick’s ticketing operations.

Songkick will maintain its position as a resource for music fans under Suno’s ownership.

Future Developments and Licensing

This partnership will lead to Suno launching more sophisticated, licensed models to supersede its current offerings in the coming year.

Users will require a paid subscription to download audio content. Those utilizing the free tier will be restricted to playing and sharing music created on the platform.

Artist Control and Rights

WMG’s affiliated artists and songwriters will retain complete authority regarding the utilization of their names, images, likenesses, voices, and musical compositions within AI-generated music.

The roster of artists signed with WMG includes prominent figures such as Lady Gaga, Coldplay, The Weeknd, and Sabrina Carpenter.

Executive Statement

“This groundbreaking agreement with Suno represents a triumph for the creative community, benefiting all stakeholders,” stated Robert Kyncl, CEO of WMG, in the official press release.

“Given Suno’s rapid growth in both user base and revenue generation, we have capitalized on this opportunity to shape models that enhance income streams and provide innovative fan experiences.”

Recent Industry Shifts

This announcement follows closely on the heels of WMG’s settlement with Udio, another AI music startup, and the establishment of a licensing agreement for an AI music creation service slated for launch in 2026.

WMG’s resolutions with both Suno and Udio signify a notable evolution in the music industry’s stance towards AI technologies.

Previous Legal Action

Last year, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment initiated legal proceedings against Suno and Udio, alleging copyright infringement.

While WMG has resolved its legal challenges with Suno and Udio, Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment are reportedly engaged in discussions to license their catalogs to Udio and Suno, potentially leading to similar settlements.

Suno's Funding

Demonstrating strong investor confidence in AI music technology, Suno recently announced the successful completion of a $250 million Series C funding round, achieving a post-money valuation of $2.45 billion.

Menlo Ventures spearheaded the round, with participation from Nvidia’s venture arm, NVentures, alongside Hallwood Media, Lightspeed, and Matrix.