Warner Music Group (WMG) has officially settled its copyright dispute with AI startup Suno, marking a pivotal development in the music industry. The partnership, announced on Tuesday, aims to explore innovative avenues in music creation, interaction, and discovery, all while ensuring fair compensation and protection for artists and songwriters.
As part of the agreement, Warner Music has transferred ownership of Songkick, a platform for live music and concert discovery, to Suno for an undisclosed sum. WMG initially acquired Songkick’s app and brand in 2017, while Live Nation retained ownership of the ticketing aspect. Under Suno’s management, Songkick will continue to serve as a go-to destination for music fans.
The collaboration will also enable Suno to introduce advanced, licensed models of its services by next year. Users will be required to have a paid account for audio downloads, while the free tier will allow limited access to songs generated on the platform. Importantly, WMG artists will retain comprehensive control over the use of their names, images, voices, and compositions in AI-generated music.
Artists represented by WMG include prominent names such as Lady Gaga, Coldplay, and The Weeknd. “This landmark pact with Suno is a victory for the creative community that benefits everyone,” stated WMG CEO Robert Kyncl, highlighting the potential for expanded revenue and enhanced fan experiences.
This announcement follows WMG’s recent settlement with another AI music startup, Udio, for a separate copyright issue, demonstrating a considerable shift in the industry’s stance on AI technology in music. With Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment also reportedly in negotiations to settle their cases against the startups, the trend towards collaboration with AI in the music sector appears to be gaining traction.
Suno, confident in its future prospects, recently secured $250 million in a Series C funding round, achieving a post-money valuation of $2.45 billion, led by Menlo Ventures and supported by major players including Nvidia’s NVentures and Lightspeed. These developments indicate a growing investor interest in AI music technology and its potential impact on the industry.
