Warner Music Group Settles AI Copyright Dispute with Udio, Announces New Licensed Platform
Warner Music Group (WMG) has resolved a copyright infringement lawsuit with the AI music startup Udio. Furthermore, the label announced a partnership to launch a new, licensed AI music creation platform in 2026.
According to a WMG press release, this will be a next-generation platform for creating, listening to, and discovering music. It will be powered by generative AI models trained on legally licensed and authorized music. The company emphasizes that this approach will not only open new revenue streams for artists and songwriters but also robustly protect their creative rights.
The subscription-based service will allow users to create remixes, cover versions, and entirely new compositions using the voices and music of artists who choose to participate. WMG guarantees that all creators will be properly credited and compensated.
WMG’s CEO, Robert Kyncl, stated that the company remains firmly committed to protecting its artists’ rights and acknowledged that Udio has taken significant steps to legitimize its use of music. He described the collaboration as part of a broader strategy to responsibly harness the potential of AI, unlocking new creative and commercial opportunities while providing an innovative experience for fans. WMG’s roster includes artists like Lady Gaga, Coldplay, The Weeknd, Sabrina Carpenter, and others.
The co-founder and CEO of Udio, Andrew Sanchez, in turn, called the partnership a significant step towards a future where technology enhances creativity. He promised that the new platform would allow fans to create alongside their favorite artists in an environment that ensures musicians have control and a connection to their audience.
This deal marks a major shift in the music industry’s approach to AI. Just last year, major labels, including WMG, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment, sued Udio and its competitor Suno for copyright infringement. Both platforms allow users to generate songs from text prompts. Reports indicate that Universal and Sony are also in negotiations to license their music to these services.
In a sign of investor confidence in AI music technology, Suno announced on the same day that it had raised $250 million in a Series C funding round, valuing the company at $2.45 billion. The round was led by Menlo Ventures with participation from Nvidia’s venture arm, NVentures, as well as Hallwood Media, Lightspeed, and Matrix.