Warner Music Settles Suit, Partners with Suno

Warner Music Group announced a partnership with AI music generation startup Suno on Tuesday, settling a copyright infringement lawsuit filed against the company last year and marking the first such collaboration between a major record label and the platform.

The agreement ends litigation initiated by Warner, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment against Suno and rival AI firm Udio. The suits accused the companies of training their AI models on copyrighted recordings without permission, a claim the startups had defended as fair use. Warner, the world's third-largest music company with artists including Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, and Charli XCX, is the first to reach a formal partnership with Suno. Universal settled its case with Udio last month, while Sony continues to pursue claims against both companies, and Universal remains in litigation with Suno.

Under the deal, Suno, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, will introduce licensed AI models in 2025, phasing out its current versions. These changes aim to ensure all music generated on the platform uses authorized material. Free users will be able to play and share creations but not download them. Paid subscribers will...