In a significant move for the music industry, Warner Music Group has officially partnered with artificial intelligence song generator Suno, settling a copyright infringement lawsuit in the process. This landmark agreement makes Warner, the world's third-largest music company, the first major record label to formally collaborate with the AI platform.
A New Era for AI-Generated Music
The deal represents a major shift in how major record labels approach artificial intelligence in music creation. Warner Music Group, home to globally renowned artists including Coldplay, Charli XCX, and Ed Sheeran, had previously sued Suno alongside other AI companies for alleged mass copyright infringement. The settlement and subsequent partnership signal a new collaborative approach between the music industry and AI technology developers.
Under the agreement, Warner artists will have the choice to participate in the programme. Those who opt-in will allow Suno users to create AI-generated songs using their voices, names, and likenesses through simple text prompts. This represents a significant departure from the previous model where AI companies were accused of using artists' work without permission or compensation.
Industry Leaders Embrace Licensed AI
Robert Kyncl, Chief Executive of Warner Music Group, emphasised the importance of proper licensing in this new technological landscape. He stated that the deal demonstrates how artificial intelligence can be "pro-artist" when properly licensed to "reflect the value of music."
"This landmark pact with Suno is a victory for the creative community that benefits everyone," Kyncl said. "With Suno rapidly scaling, both in users and monetisation, we've seized this opportunity to shape models that expand revenue and deliver new fan experiences."
The agreement comes just over a week after Warner Music settled similar litigation and struck a partnership with rival AI song generation service Udio, indicating a strategic shift in how the company approaches AI technology.
New Limitations and Business Models
As part of the agreement, Suno - often described as the ChatGPT for music - has committed to significant platform changes. The company will launch new, more advanced licensed models next year, phasing out existing versions. These changes include implementing new restrictions on downloads for users.
Only paid-tier subscribers will be able to download their AI music creations, with additional costs for downloads and caps on how many tracks users can create. These measures aim to address concerns about the thousands of AI tracks created on Suno that subsequently flood streaming services.
In a related development, Suno has acquired Songkick, the live-music and concert-discovery platform, for an undisclosed amount as part of the Warner Music agreement.
Broader Industry Context and UK Implications
The music industry's approach to AI remains divided. While Warner and Universal Music have now settled with Udio, Universal continues litigation with Suno, and Sony Music is suing both Suno and Udio. This patchwork of legal actions and settlements reflects the complex landscape facing the industry as it grapples with AI technology.
In the UK, the government has been consulting on a new intellectual property framework for AI. Initially, proposals suggested AI firms might be able to use creative works to train their models without permission. However, following protests from the creative community, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall recently indicated she wanted to "reset" the debate and showed sympathy toward artists' demands for proper compensation when their works are used by AI companies.
The creative community continues to advocate for an opt-in approach, ensuring that when a work is used, it can be properly identified and licensed to remunerate creators fairly.
