Breaking News: Record Labels Sue AI Start-ups for Copyright Infringement | Sony, Universal, Warner Demand $150,000 per Work
In a groundbreaking case, the world's biggest record labels, including Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Warner Records, have filed lawsuits against Suno and Udio for alleged copyright violation on an "almost unimaginable scale". The firms claim that the AI start-ups' software steals music to create similar works without authorization.
Suno, based in Massachusetts, released its first product last year and has more than 10 million users. The company, partnered with Microsoft, charges a monthly fee for its service and recently raised $125 million from investors. Udio, based in New York and backed by venture capital investors like Andreessen Horowitz, gained fame for creating a parody track related to the feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake.
While AI firms argue that their use of copyrighted material falls under fair use, the record labels argue that the AI firms are profiting from unauthorized copies of songs. The complaints filed in federal courts in Massachusetts and New York claim that Suno and Udio's AI models produce music that closely resembles authentic recordings, threatening the music ecosystem.
The lawsuits come in the wake of 200 artists, including Billie Eilish and Nicki Minaj, calling for a halt to the "predatory" use of AI in the music industry. This case highlights the ongoing debate around the use of AI in creative industries and the importance of protecting artists' rights and intellectual property.