Warner Music and Udio Settle AI Copyright Lawsuit, Strike New Deal
▼ Summary
– Warner Music Group has settled its copyright infringement case with AI startup Udio and entered into a licensing agreement for an AI music platform launching in 2026.
– The new AI-powered platform will allow users to create remixes, covers, and songs using licensed music while ensuring artists are credited and compensated.
– This partnership represents a significant shift in the music industry’s approach to AI, moving from litigation to collaboration with AI companies.
– Warner Music Group CEO emphasized the company’s commitment to protecting artist rights while responsibly unlocking AI’s creative and commercial potential.
– The settlement occurs alongside investor confidence in AI music technology, as competitor Suno recently raised $250 million at a $2.45 billion valuation.
Warner Music Group has resolved its copyright dispute with artificial intelligence music company Udio, simultaneously announcing a strategic partnership to launch a licensed AI music platform in 2026. This new service will utilize generative AI models trained exclusively on properly licensed and authorized musical content. The initiative aims to open up fresh income opportunities for artists and composers while safeguarding their intellectual property rights.
Under the terms of the agreement, a forthcoming subscription platform will let users produce remixes, cover versions, and entirely new compositions by accessing the vocal styles of participating singers and the musical works of collaborating songwriters. Warner Music emphasized that the system is designed to guarantee proper attribution and financial compensation for all creators involved.
Robert Kyncl, CEO of Warner Music Group, stated that the company maintains a steadfast dedication to protecting the rights of its artists and songwriters. He noted that Udio has implemented substantial measures to ensure all music on its service is fully authorized and licensed. Kyncl described the collaboration as part of Warner’s wider strategy to responsibly harness AI’s capabilities, creating new creative and commercial avenues while delivering novel experiences for music fans. The label’s roster includes major acts like Lady Gaga, Coldplay, and The Weeknd.
Andrew Sanchez, Udio’s co-founder and CEO, expressed that the partnership represents a pivotal move toward a future where technology enhances creativity and unlocks new possibilities for musical creators. He explained that the upcoming platform will allow fans to collaborate creatively with their favorite artists, producing remarkable music within a framework that provides artists with both control and meaningful fan engagement.
This settlement signals a notable evolution in how the music industry is approaching artificial intelligence. Previously, Warner Music Group, alongside Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, had filed copyright lawsuits against both Udio and competing AI music service Suno. These platforms enable users to generate complete songs through simple text prompts. Reports now indicate that Universal and Sony are also engaged in discussions to license their catalogs to Udio and Suno.
In a related development highlighting strong investor belief in AI music technology, Suno disclosed a $250 million Series C funding round, achieving a post-money valuation of $2.45 billion. The investment was spearheaded by Menlo Ventures, with additional participation from Nvidia’s venture arm NVentures, Hallwood Media, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Matrix Partners.
(Source: TechCrunch)
