Warner settles lawsuit with AI music firm and launches joint venture

Warner Music Group (WMG) will begin an artificial intelligence (AI) music venture with technology start-up Suno - a year after it sued the firm in a landmark case.

As part of the settlement agreement struck between the two firms, Warner will let users create AI-generated music on Suno using the voices, names and likeness of artists who opt-in to the programme.

The record label, which represents artists like Dua Lipa, Coldplay and Ed Sheeran, was among several music giants like Sony Music that sued Suno and a similar platform called Udio.

AI-generated content has been controversial, with many artists voicing concerns that it could undermine human songwriters.

Starting next year, Suno will roll out new advanced and licensed models to its generative-AI music platform, which allows users to create music based on simple descriptions, said Warner in a statement.

The Massachusetts-based firm has around 100 million users and was launched two years ago.

Suno's 2026 model will replace its existing version and will require users to pay for audio downloads, said Warner. Songs on the service's free tier can still be played and shared.

Warner said the "first-of-its-kind partnership" will open "new frontiers" in music creation while ensuring the creative community is compensated.