Warner Music Settles with Suno in Landmark AI Music Deal
The agreement signals a major shift in how the global music industry plans to work with AI platforms, blending licensing, artist protection, and new fan experiences.
Warner Music Group (WMG) has officially settled its copyright lawsuit with AI music startup, Suno, marking a major milestone in the ongoing intersection of AI and the music industry. The announcement came on Tuesday, with WMG highlighting that the deal will “open new frontiers in music creation, interaction, and discovery, while both compensating and protecting artists, songwriters, and the wider creative community.”
The agreement comes after WMG, along with Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, filed lawsuits last year against Suno and Udio for alleged copyright infringement. With this settlement, WMG signals a shift in the music industry’s approach: rather than fighting AI-generated music outright, labels are increasingly seeking ways to integrate and license it while safeguarding artists’ rights.
As part of the partnership, Suno has also acquired Songkick, the live music and concert-discovery platform that WMG had previously acquired in 2017. While Live Nation now owns Songkick’s ticketing business, Suno will operate the platform as a fan-focused destination for music enthusiasts. This move further integrates AI music with live fan experiences, creating a bridge between digital creation and real-world music events.
Emmanuel Umahi
Under the agreement, Suno will launch advanced, licensed AI models next year that replace its current offerings. Free-tier users will be able to play and share AI-generated tracks, but downloading audio will require a paid subscription. Importantly, WMG artists, including global superstars like Lady Gaga, Coldplay, The Weeknd, and Sabrina Carpenter, retain full control over the use of their names, images, voices, and compositions in new AI-generated works.
“This landmark pact with Suno is a victory for the creative community that benefits everyone,” said WMG CEO Robert Kyncl. “With Suno rapidly scaling, both in users and monetization, we’ve seized this opportunity to shape models that expand revenue and deliver new fan experiences.”
This settlement reflects a broader global trend in the music industry: major labels are starting to embrace AI as a legitimate tool for creation rather than purely a threat. Licensing deals like this one provide a blueprint for how AI platforms can operate responsibly while compensating artists fairly.
Investor confidence in AI music is also surging. Just last week, Suno raised $250 million in a Series C round at a $2.45 billion post-money valuation. The round was led by Menlo Ventures and included Nvidia’s venture arm NVentures, Hallwood Media, Lightspeed, and Matrix. This funding will support Suno’s expansion, model improvements, and the development of new AI-driven music experiences.
The takeaway
WMG’s settlements with Suno (and Udio earlier) mark a turning point for AI-generated music globally. Rather than being purely adversarial, these deals demonstrate how AI can be integrated into the music ecosystem in a way that benefits both creators and listeners. For the first time, fans can expect high-quality, legally licensed AI music experiences while artists maintain control over their work signaling a new era where AI and human creativity coexist rather than collide.
Emmanuel Umahi
