Warner Music Group has ended its legal action against the artificial intelligence music platform Suno after both companies reached a new licensing agreement. The deal follows a similar arrangement Warner Music recently established with Udio, another AI music service previously accused of using copyrighted works without permission.
Under the new agreement, Suno will be allowed to license music and likenesses from Warner Music’s artists. In return, the record label has withdrawn its lawsuit, which was part of a broader industry effort involving several major music companies alleging that both Suno and Udio had used copyrighted material on what they called a “massive scale.”
Artist control over AI-generated music
Warner Music stated that the agreement will give artists and songwriters the ability to decide how their creative identities are used within AI-generated music. According to the company, “artists and songwriters will have full control over whether and how their names, images, likenesses, voices, and compositions are used in new AI-generated music.” The label did not provide detailed guidance on how this opt-in system will function, but it confirmed that nothing will be shared automatically.
This approach matches the opt-in framework introduced in Warner Music’s recent partnership with Udio. The company insists that artist consent and respect for intellectual property must remain central as AI tools evolve. Warner Music’s CEO, Robert Kyncl, said, “AI becomes pro-artist when it adheres to our principles: committing to licensed models, reflecting the value of music on and off platform, and providing artists and songwriters with an opt-in for the use of their name, image, likeness, voice and compositions in new AI songs.”
Changes coming to Suno’s platform
As part of the agreement, Suno plans to update its AI music models and revise how users can download music created on the platform. According to Warner Music, Suno will roll out “new, more advanced and licensed models” in 2026. Once those are launched, its current models will be retired.
Suno will also introduce new rules for downloading music. Songs created on the free tier will no longer be downloadable. Instead, users at this level will only be able to play and share their creations. Paid users will retain limited monthly download allowances and can purchase additional downloads if needed. Warner Music suggested these adjustments are aimed at ensuring that licensed music receives proper protection and value.
Suno acquires Songkick in unexpected move
In a surprising addition to the agreement, Suno is also acquiring Songkick, Warner Music’s concert discovery service. Suno plans to continue operating Songkick, while Warner Music says the combination “will create new potential to deepen the artist-fan connection.”
Although Songkick’s focus on helping users find nearby concerts may seem unconnected to Suno’s AI music tools, the deal could indicate plans for more socially driven or community-based features within Suno’s ecosystem.
Before reaching this agreement, Suno had publicly acknowledged that it used “essentially all music files of reasonable quality that are accessible on the open internet” to train its AI model, arguing that this practice fell under fair use. While this statement raised questions about copyright compliance, it now appears Warner Music prefers securing licensing arrangements over continuing legal disputes. Reports suggest the company is pursuing similar agreements with YouTube.
