AI

Legal Battles Intensify Over Generative AI's Use of Copyrighted Music

26 June 2024

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Paikan Begzad

Summary

This week, the spotlight is on generative AI as music labels target two startups, Udio and Suno, with copyright infringement lawsuits. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced these legal actions, supported by major players like Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Records. The lawsuits accuse Udio and Suno of using the labels' music without authorization to train their AI models and demand $150,000 for each alleged infringement.

The music labels argue that AI-generated content could flood the market, undermining and devaluing authentic recordings. These cases add to the growing list of legal challenges faced by generative AI companies, including industry leaders like OpenAI, who are under scrutiny for similar issues. The core of these disputes is whether AI companies can use copyrighted material without paying royalties or giving proper credit.

The outcome of these cases is highly anticipated, as it could set significant precedents for the future of AI in creative industries. Previous legal battles, such as Google’s victory over the Authors Guild regarding Google Books, show that courts might favor transformative use. The central question remains whether generative AI serves a transformative purpose or merely replicates original works. The resolution of these cases could profoundly impact the landscape of AI and copyright law.