New Partnership for Udio
UDIO, a music startup focused on AI, is navigating ongoing challenges from major recording labels and its competitor Suno. To tackle these issues, it has formed a new partnership with the contrast identification platform Audible Magic.
In New York, Surprise announced on Tuesday (April 29) that it has integrated Audible Magic audio fingerprinting technology for content identification directly into its generative music platform. Audible Magic, based in California, provides content identification services for social networks, recording labels, music publishers, and television and film studios.
Addressing Content Ownership Issues
This new alliance establishes what the companies are calling a “conveyor to control content,” enabling streaming services and distributors to identify AI-generated tracks from the UDIO platform and enforce the appropriate licensing rules.
For UDIO, this partnership is a strategic move to mitigate issues related to unauthorized use and rights management in AI-generated music.
Nearly a year ago, a group of sound recording companies, including Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group (UMG), and Warner Records Inc., filed a lawsuit against Surprise and Suno, claiming both companies trained their AI systems on copyrighted material without permission.
Surprise and Suno maintain that their usage falls under the “fair use” exception of US Copyright Law and accuse the recording companies of pursuing litigation to stifle competition.
“Working with Audible Magic enables us to create a transparent signal in the music supply chain,” said UDIO co-founder Andrew Sanchez.
“By imprinting fingerprints at the moment of generation, we’re helping to establish a new standard for accountability and clarity in the era of generative music. We believe this partnership will pave the way for new licensing frameworks and monetization opportunities, benefiting all stakeholders in the industry, from artists to rights holders and technology platforms.”
“The imprinting of the fingers at the point of generation helps us establish a new standard for responsibility and clarity in the era of generative music.”
Andrew Sanchez, Surprise
Surprisingly, the approach establishes a register of fingerprints at the point of creation, rather than after distribution. When users generate tracks through the UDIO platform, each composition is automatically registered in the Audible Magic identification system, creating a signal that traces along the entire digital supply chain.
“By managing distribution risks upfront and contributing to a more transparent digital supply chain, UDIO sets a new standard for how AI and music can responsibly coexist,” the company stated.
Kuni Takahashi, CEO of Audible Magic, noted that the partnership “illustrates a significant commitment by UDIO to the transparency in rights ownership and content origin.”
“Registering files directly from the original source is a clear and reliable method for determining the use of AI-generated music in the supply chain.”
Both companies indicated that the integration will roll out over the coming months.
Audible Magic has been providing content identification services for over 25 years. The startup has developed Emmy Award-winning technology that ensures content recognition for numerous large digital platforms.
In December, Audible Magic partnered with Music, another company utilizing AI technologies to assist film and television companies in managing music licensing.
For UDIO, the collaboration with Audible Magic marks its latest enhancement following the recent release of a tool that imitates the “sound identity” of existing tracks.
Udio and Audible Magic team up to tackle rights management in AI-generated music
