Suno to Compensate Artists in AI-Generated Music

AFP/APP

New York: US artificial intelligence music platform Suno and Warner Music Group announced Tuesday a partnership to ensure recording artists are compensated in the rapidly growing AI music space.

The agreement resolves a civil lawsuit in which Warner alleged that Suno mined music catalogs without authorization or financial compensation. The case was part of a series of complaints from legacy music labels against Suno and other AI music platforms, including Udio, claiming violations of copyright to train generative AI engines.

Under the deal, Suno will launch new AI models in 2026, requiring paid accounts to download audio. Artists can opt in to allow the use of their “names, images, likenesses, voices, and compositions” in AI-generated music.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/hp-to-cut-thousands-of-jobs-as-ai-reshapes-workforce/

“These will be new creation experiences from artists who do opt in, opening up new revenue streams and allowing fans to interact with them in innovative ways,” Suno said in an online letter to users.

Warner CEO Robert Kyncl described the agreement as a “landmark pact” benefiting all parties. “With Suno rapidly scaling in users and monetization, we’ve seized this opportunity to shape models that expand revenue and deliver new fan experiences,” Kyncl said. He added, “AI becomes pro-artist when it adheres to our principles: committing to licensed models, reflecting the value of music on and off platform, and providing artists and songwriters with an opt-in.”

The lawsuit from Warner and other music giants cited AI-generated songs mimicking copyrighted works by Chuck Berry, James Brown, Michael Bublé, ABBA, and others.

Suno’s announcement follows a similar agreement last month between Udio and Universal Music Group, whose roster includes Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, and other stars.