Universal and Sony take Suno to court over AI music and copyright

Sunday 20 September 2026 - 09:50

Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment have launched a new legal challenge against Suno, accusing the US-based artificial intelligence music platform of using copyrighted recordings without authorization to develop its latest AI model.

The lawsuit marks another escalation in the confrontation between major record companies and generative AI platforms over how music can be used to train and improve artificial intelligence systems.

Universal and Sony had previously joined Warner Music Group in legal action against Suno in June 2024. The dispute has since evolved as record companies have pursued different strategies, ranging from litigation to licensing agreements with AI developers.

Dispute centers on Suno’s latest technology

Suno, a startup based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, introduced a new model in September that it presented as part of a broader effort to work more closely with musicians and the wider creative sector.

Under the company’s new approach, artists can decide whether to participate in the platform. Those who agree to collaborate can receive compensation when their music is used.

Suno has also said that material generated by users through earlier versions of its technology contributed to the development of the new system.

That explanation has become a central point of disagreement with Universal and Sony. The labels argue that some of the earlier AI-generated material was itself produced using Suno models trained on recordings that had allegedly been incorporated without permission from artists, rights holders or record companies.

The role of model distillation

The legal dispute also focuses on the technical process used to develop the new generation of Suno’s technology.

According to the record companies, Suno relied on a technique known as model distillation, in which a newer artificial intelligence system learns from the behavior and outputs of an existing model.

Universal and Sony argue that if earlier Suno models were trained using copyrighted recordings without authorization, relying on those models to develop a new system does not resolve the underlying copyright dispute.

The labels have described the alleged unauthorized use of recordings as a threat extending beyond individual artists, arguing that it could affect the broader economic structure supporting the music industry.

A different path with Udio

The dispute with Suno contrasts with another strategy pursued by the record companies in their dealings with AI music developers.

Universal reached an agreement with Udio, one of Suno’s principal competitors, in October 2025. Under the planned model, artists would be able to authorize the use of their voices and compositions and receive compensation when they participate.

Warner subsequently reached a similar arrangement with Udio, allowing its artists to opt into the system.

These agreements illustrate the emerging divide within the music industry: companies are simultaneously challenging some AI practices in court while negotiating licensing frameworks intended to establish controlled and remunerated uses of music.

Record labels also explore AI partnerships

Universal has also pursued partnerships that incorporate generative AI into mainstream music services.

In May, the company announced an agreement with Spotify allowing users to create AI-assisted remixes and covers involving music from participating artists.

The contrasting approaches highlight the central issue facing the sector: whether generative AI can become part of the music business through permission-based licensing and compensation, rather than through the unauthorized use of existing recordings.

As litigation involving Suno moves forward, the outcome could influence how AI music companies develop future models and how artists, labels and technology platforms define ownership, consent and remuneration in an increasingly automated creative industry.