AI music generator Suno has lost a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by German licensing agency GEMA. The Munich Regional Court ruled on Friday, July 31, that Suno unlawfully obtained, processed, and reproduced music represented by GEMA.
GEMA had argued that Suno used songs from its repertoire, including 'Daddy Cool' by Boney M and 'Mambo No. 5' by Lou Bega, to train its AI models without obtaining licenses or paying songwriters. The court found this use breached both German and US copyright law.
Suno is now required to pay damages to GEMA, though the specific sum has not yet been confirmed. This ruling also means that other AI companies must now pay to license any music from GEMA's repertoire for future use.
Dr Tobias Holzmüller, GEMA's CEO, stated that the ruling makes it clear that "AI models built on stolen intellectual property have no protection under the law." GEMA Board chairman Dr Ralf Weigand added that the decision sends a "powerful international message: creativity has value, and creators’ rights must be respected in the age of artificial intelligence."
Suno has indicated it does not agree with the court's decision and intends to appeal. This ruling follows another legal victory for GEMA last November against ChatGPT operator OpenAI for alleged violations of European copyright laws.