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Music AI Startups Take a Controversial Stance in Copyright Dispute
In the realm of technology, legal challenges often prompt companies to deny any wrongdoing and offer justifications for their actions. However, the music-focused AI companies Udio and Suno have chosen an unconventional defense strategy: they openly acknowledge the allegations against them.
The Lawsuit Against Udio and Suno
This past June, Udio and Suno found themselves facing legal action initiated by prominent music label giants Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Group. The crux of the lawsuit alleges that these startups trained their artificial intelligence models by extracting copyrighted content from online sources. Recently filed court documents reveal that Suno has admitted to this practice: “It’s well known that our training data includes potentially millions of recordings protected by copyright,” stated the company.
Claiming Fair Use in a Technological Context
Suno argues that their scraping practices should be regarded as fair use under copyright legislation. They contend, “Making copies of protected works within a technical backend process—one that is not visible to users—aims at developing an innovative product that does not infringe on copyrights.” Their position suggests that since they do not directly sample or replicate original tracks in their AI-generated outputs, procuring vast amounts of sound files for training purposes should not be considered unlawful.
Reaction from Industry Leaders
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which initiated this litigation process, swiftly condemned the defendants’ claims as misleading. A representative expressed strong disapproval: “Their extensive infringement is far from constituting ‘fair use.’ It is unjust to appropriate an artist’s creative contributions and repurpose them to rival original works.” The RIAA underscored that these startups had alternatives available to them—such as seeking permission for using existing creations—a route already taken by many competitors within the industry.
A Watchful Eye on Future Developments
No matter how this ongoing legal saga unfolds, it promises to be captivating. With significant implications for both technology developers and music creators alike, observers will certainly want to stay tuned for further updates.
This article was originally published by Engadget.
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