Warner Music Group (WMG) announced on Wednesday that it has reached a settlement in a copyright infringement case with the AI music startup Udio and signed a licensing agreement, planning to launch a new AI music creation service in 2026.
According to Warner Music's press release, the platform will be a "next-generation music creation, listening, and discovery platform" that will use generative AI models trained on licensed and authorized music. The company stated that the platform will create "new revenue streams for artists and songwriters while ensuring their works are protected."
This subscription service will allow users to create remixes, covers, and new songs using the voices of participating artists and the works of songwriters. Warner Music stated that the platform will ensure that artists and songwriters receive proper credit and compensation.
Robert Kinkler, CEO of Warner Music, said in the press release: "We are always committed to protecting the rights of artists and songwriters. Udio has taken significant steps to ensure that music is authorized and licensed in its services. This collaboration aligns with our broader efforts to responsibly unlock the potential of AI, offering artists and songwriters new creative and commercial opportunities while continuing to provide fans with innovative experiences."
Artists signed with Warner Music include Lady Gaga, Coldplay, The Weeknd, and Sabrina Carpenter.
Andrew Sanchez, co-founder and CEO of Udio, said in the press release: "This collaboration is a significant step toward enhancing creativity through technology and unlocking new opportunities for artists and songwriters. Our new platform will allow fans to create music with their favorite artists in an environment that provides artist control and connection, producing extraordinary music."
This settlement marks a major shift in the music industry's application of AI. Last year, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment sued Udio and its competitor Suno over copyright infringement. Both platforms allowed users to generate songs through AI-driven text prompts. Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment are also negotiating licensing agreements with Udio and Suno.
Additionally, Suno announced on Wednesday that it has completed a $250 million Series C funding round, with a post-funding valuation of $2.45 billion. The funding was led by Menlo Ventures, with participation from NVentures, the venture capital arm of NVIDIA, Hallwood Media, Lightspeed, and Matrix.
Key Points:
🌟 Warner Music has reached a settlement with Udio and plans to launch an AI music creation platform.
🎶 The new platform will allow users to create remixes and covers, ensuring artists are compensated.
💰 Suno announced a $250 million funding round, indicating that AI music technology is favored by investors.
