Human Artistry Campaign Members
We’re writing to share the news that the RIAA and its member companies have filed suit against AI platforms Suno Inc. & Udio AI today, defending artists and rightsholders against the widespread, rampant copying of copyrighted sound recordings. This case is foundational and essential in our fight for responsible, ethical AI. The core issue is whether generative AI programs can scrape and copy artistic works without impunity – while this case focuses on sound recordings, its impact may be much broader.
«The need to get consent before using copyrighted works in AI models is a founding principle of the Human Artistry Campaign and a fundamental pillar of any notion of ‘ethical’ or ‘responsible’ AI. Training AI services on stolen music is an insult to individual human artistry and an attack on the autonomy of every artist, author, and creator.»
Dr. Moiya McTier, Human Artistry Campaign Senior Advisor
These companies have built their generative AI products off the work of thousands of artists without consent or compensation and don’t even deny it. RIAA’s complaint outlines damning evidence, like familiar producer tags like “Jason Derulo” and “CashMoneyAP” appearing in generated outputs, eerie soundalikes of Green Day, Mariah Carey, The Temptations, and more.
«The music community has embraced AI and we are already partnering and collaborating with responsible developers to build sustainable AI tools centered on human creativity that put artists and songwriters in charge. But we can only succeed if developers are willing to work together with us. Unlicensed services like Suno and Udio that claim it’s ‘fair’ to copy an artist’s life’s work and exploit it for their own profit without consent or pay set back the promise of genuinely innovative AI for us all.» – RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier
Several Human Artistry Campaign member organizations in the music community have spoken out in support of the litigation, including the Artist Rights Alliance, BMAC, Music Workers Alliance, NMPA, Indie Musicians Caucus of AFM, Recording Academy, SAG-AFTRA, SONA, and SoundExchange. You can read RIAA’s full release here and key reporting below. Keep an eye on our social media feeds for additional news and updates.
ROLLING STONE
AI’s Most Ambitious Music Generators Infringed Thousands Of Songs, New Lawsuit Says
BILLBOARD
Major Labels Sue AI Firms Suno and Udio for Alleged Copyright Infringement
MUSIC BUSINESS WORLDWIDE
Major Record Companies Sue AI Music Generators Suno, Udio for “Mass Infringement” of Copyright
THE WRAP
Recording Industry Association Sues AI Companies for Copyright Infringement