Photo Credit: Markus Winkler
Looks like Sony Music intends to continue litigating against Udio despite the AI music generator’s lawsuit-ending agreements with Warner Music and Universal Music.
As most already know, UMG got the licensing ball rolling near October’s end, before WMG and Udio finalized a deal of their own last month. Now, the pacts have produced signed-and-sealed dismissal notices, and the AI music platform is implementing far-reaching changes.
Notwithstanding the sweeping operational recalibration, however, Sony Music is moving forward with the complaint. Naturally, given the other majors’ settlements, questions have been swirling about the case’s precise status.
But a new docket entry (along with the time that’s passed since UMG resolved its claims) has confirmed that SME and Udio are still battling it out. In the corresponding document, both sides requested another (the fifth overall) discovery-deadline extension, seeking a January 30th document-production cutoff.
Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean a licensing model and a settlement won’t materialize in the interim; technically, WMG and UMG were firing off filings in the leadup to their respective Udio deal announcements.
For the time being, it does mean the Sony Music-Udio courtroom confrontation is proceeding. So is the distinct suit levied by SME and UMG against Suno, which moved to settle with WMG towards November’s conclusion.
While anything can happen in the rapidly evolving AI music space, logic and evidence suggest that a resolution might be comparatively difficult to come by in the Suno case.
One significant difference: Udio has already put the kibosh on downloads, much to the dismay of its users. Suno, on the other hand, is preparing to “introduce download restrictions in certain scenarios” next year under the Warner Music-approved framework.
At present, the download-cap number hasn’t been publicly disclosed, and the existing system remains in place at Suno. It’s possible that UMG and SME aren’t on board with some (or perhaps most) of the facts.
Then there’s the ongoing controversy over Haven’s viral smash “I Run,” which allegedly incorporated Jorja Smith soundalike vocals (and potentially different IP) without authorization.
Though the pushback from Smith’s label has thus far taken center stage, the singer-songwriter is also signed to Sony Music Publishing – an interesting angle that doesn’t exactly point to an imminent settlement in the Suno suit. (Haven, we previously broke down, used Suno to bring “I Run” to life.)
Warner Music deal or not, these definitely aren’t positives for a legitimacy-minded Suno heading into the new year. Nor are the multiple indie-led infringement complaints it’s staring down; eligible professionals can request to join one of the class actions by filling out a simple form.
