According to TechCrunch, Warner Music Group announced on Tuesday that it settled its copyright lawsuit against AI music startup Suno and signed a partnership deal. As part of the agreement, WMG sold its concert-discovery platform Songkick to Suno for an undisclosed amount. The deal means Suno will launch more advanced, licensed AI music models next year that will replace its current ones. Downloading audio will require a paid account, while free users can only play and share songs. WMG artists including Lady Gaga, Coldplay, and The Weeknd will have full control over how their names, images, and music are used in AI-generated content. This comes just one week after WMG settled its similar lawsuit with another AI music startup, Udio.
The big business pivot
Here’s the thing: Warner Music basically went from suing these AI companies to partnering with them in under a year. That’s a massive strategic shift. They’re not just settling lawsuits – they’re actually selling assets to Suno and building licensed models together. Robert Kyncl, WMG’s CEO, called it a “landmark pact” that benefits the creative community, but let’s be real: this is about money and control. With Suno raising $250 million last week at a $2.45 billion valuation, the timing makes perfect business sense.
What artists actually get
So what does this mean for musicians? Well, the press release says artists get “full control” over whether and how their work gets used in AI music. That’s significant because one of the biggest fears has been AI companies training on copyrighted music without permission. Now Warner’s artists can opt in or out entirely. But here’s my question: will artists actually want to participate, or will most choose to keep their work out of AI generation? The official announcement talks about expanding revenue and new fan experiences, but we’ll have to see how this plays out in practice.
The domino effect begins
This isn’t just about Warner Music. Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment are reportedly in similar talks with both Suno and Udio. Basically, the entire music industry is shifting from litigation to licensing when it comes to AI. They tried fighting it, realized they couldn’t stop the technology, and are now trying to control and monetize it. The Songkick part is interesting too – WMG acquired Songkick’s app and brand back in 2017, and now they’re passing it to Suno. It’s like they’re throwing in some extra assets to sweeten the deal.
Where this is heading
Look, the genie’s out of the bottle on AI music. These settlements show that even the biggest music labels recognize they can’t put it back in. Instead, they’re building the rules around it. The paid tier requirement for downloads makes sense – they’re creating a revenue stream from day one. And with Suno’s massive funding round and WMG’s industry clout, this partnership could seriously accelerate what’s possible with AI-generated music. The real test will be whether fans actually want AI-created songs featuring their favorite artists, or if this remains a niche curiosity.
