Warner Music Group announced that it has reached settlements with AI music startups Suno and Udio, resolving copyright infringement lawsuits filed just over a year ago by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on behalf of major record companies. The deals mark a significant shift from litigation to collaboration, with Warner establishing licensing partnerships that will launch new AI music creation services in 2026 whilst ensuring artists and songwriters are compensated and protected.
The settlements come after the RIAA sued both platforms for mass infringement of copyright, with Warner now partnering to develop licensed AI models that will replace current unlicensed versions. Suno announced it has raised a $250 million Series C funding round at a $2.45 billion post-money valuation, demonstrating investor confidence despite ongoing legal challenges from other major labels. Under the agreements, both Suno and Udio will deploy generative AI models trained exclusively on licensed and authorised music, creating new revenue streams for artists whilst giving them full control over whether and how their names, images, likenesses, voices, and compositions are used in AI-generated content. Warner also sold its live music platform Songkick to Suno for an undisclosed amount as part of the broader partnership.
Warner's settlements with Suno and Udio establish a precedent for licensing-based partnerships in the music industry's approach to AI technology, moving away from protracted litigation towards collaborative frameworks. These deals underscore the industry's commitment to protecting creator rights whilst allowing AI innovation through structured licensing arrangements.
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Sources:
1. https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/25/warner-music-signs-deal-with-ai-music-startup-suno-settles-lawsuit/
2. https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/19/warner-music-settles-copyright-lawsuit-with-udio-signs-deal-for-ai-music-platform/
3. https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-music-group-settles-with-suno-strikes-first-of-its-kind-deal-with-ai-song-generator/
