Sony and UMG Sue Suno Over v6 Training Methods

Major record labels Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group have initiated legal action against AI music platform Suno, claiming that its latest v6 models violate copyright laws. According to reports from Variety and Music Business Worldwide, the labels argue that the company used indirect methods to train the new software on unlicensed recordings.

This fresh legal dispute challenges the narrative presented by the AI developer regarding its v6 release. Suno previously secured licensing agreements with Warner Music Group and BMG, establishing a foundation of authorized material for the lineup. However, the plaintiffs focus on the platform's public statements indicating that the software also learned from user interactions on the service.

Disputed Training Data and Potential Damages

The record companies interpret these interactions as outputs and preference signals originating from older versions of the software. Those previous iterations were allegedly constructed by copying master recordings without permission from the copyright holders. Based on this interpretation, the lawsuit asserts that the platform could be held accountable for infringing upon more than 60,000 specific sound recordings.

Such a finding could expose the developer to billions of dollars in statutory damages under American copyright statutes. Additional penalties could apply if the platform bypassed anti-download protections on video platforms to harvest tracks, with potential fines reaching thousands of dollars per violation.

Company Response and Prior Disputes

In a statement provided to Engadget, the developer rejected the allegations, calling the legal arguments incorrect regarding both facts and established law. The enterprise emphasized its mission to enable broader participation in music creation and highlighted its partnerships with entities like Believe alongside WMG and BMG.

• Suno stated that v6 relied on licensed partner content.
• The developer included user interactions and community preferences in the training process.
• Older models have been retired by the platform.

This filing expands upon an earlier legal challenge involving Sony, UMG, and Warner Music Group. That history includes a data breach in July 2026 that exposed automated scraping of millions of tracks and lyrical works from services including YouTube Music, Deezer, and Genius. While the developer previously defended such harvesting practices under fair use principles, the retirement of older versions indicates a shift toward officially licensed material for current products.