Record Labels in Talks to License Music to AI Firms Udio, Suno
Music companies would settle lawsuits with startups they accused of copyright infringement
AI companies have battled major media companies over whether they need to pay to train their large language models on copyrighted work.
Photographer: yanyong/iStockphotoMajor music companies are in talks to license their work to artificial intelligence startups Udio and Suno, deals that would establish a framework for how AI companies compensate recording artists for their work, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment are pushing to collect license fees for their work and also receive a small amount of equity in Suno and Udio, two leaders among a crop of companies that use generative AI to help make music. Any deal would help settle lawsuits between the two sides, said the people, who declined to be identified because the talks could fall apart.