Artificial intelligence music generator Suno has emerged as one of the most debated companies in the music industry today.
In June, $500 million company was sued by major record labels, along with another AI firm, Udio, for allegedly training their systems with extensive music catalogues without authorization—a claim they nearly conceded in court documents in August.
Legal Claims by GEMA
Suno is now facing a copyright infringement lawsuit from the German collection society and licensing body, GEMA.
GEMA represents the rights of approximately 95,000 creators in Germany (composers, lyricists, music publishers), as well as over two million copyright holders globally.
GEMA accuses the AI of “processing protected recordings of popular songs” without the necessary permissions or compensation.
According to GEMA, the AI tool produces audio content “that closely resembles the original songs.”
GEMA asserts that Suno is copying works from artists such as Alphaville (Forever Young), Christina Bach (Atemlos), Lou Bega (Mambo #5), Frank Farian (Papa Cool), and Modern Talking (Cherie Cherie Lady).
The collection society has published audio samples created by Suno, along with a video from musicologist Julia Blum, highlighting the similarities to the original Boney M version of Papa Cool and the “AI plagiarism” issue related to Suno.
GEMA filed this lawsuit against Suno in the Munich district court today (January 21).
GEMA notes that Suno’s AI music tool “enables users to generate playable audio content using simple prompts.” However, the organization claims it can “document instances of content clearly infringing” on existing works.
GEMA further stated: “Regarding melody, harmony, and rhythm, this content closely matches the globally recognized works represented by GEMA.”
“The evidence demonstrates that Suno Inc. has systematically utilized the GEMA repertoire to train its musical instrument and is now commercializing it without compensating the original creators.”
Wider Implications for AI in Music
GEMA’s lawsuit against Suno follows just two months after the organization filed a legal complaint against OpenAI, the 157 billion dollar American AI company behind ChatGPT.
GEMA claims that OpenAI, via its ChatGPT chatbot, “reproduces protected lyrics from German authors without securing licenses or compensating the creators.”
This lawsuit against OpenAI arose slightly more than a month after GEMA proposed a licensing framework for generative AI. In November, GEMA unveiled an “AI Charter” advocating for responsible approaches to generative AI.
“AI providers like Suno Inc. are using our contributors’ work without their consent and profiting financially from it.”
Dr. Tobias Holzmüller, GEMA
Commenting on the lawsuit against Suno, Dr. Tobias Holzmüller, CEO of GEMA, remarked: “Human creativity is the foundation of all generative artificial intelligence. However, this market currently lacks fundamental principles such as transparency, fairness, and respect.
“AI providers like Suno Inc. utilize our contributors’ works without consent and gain financially from it while their products compete with human-created works, thereby undermining the economic grounds of those creators. GEMA is dedicated to collaborating with AI firms to find solutions, but such efforts necessitate essential principles of good faith cooperation and, critically, obtaining licenses.”
“Generative AI tools, such as Suno Inc.’s musical instrument, facilitate the unregulated use of songs and lyrics that they do not own.”
Dr. Ralph Weigand, GEMA
Dr. Ralph Weigand, Chairman of the GEMA Supervisory Board, added: “Generative AI tools like the one from Suno Inc. allow for the seamless integration of compositions and lyrics that do not belong to them.
“If we are to prevent the proliferation of artificial music in the future, an urgent legal framework guaranteeing creators a fair share of the value generated by AI providers is essential. Otherwise, we risk reaching a point where no one can sustain a living from their creative work—a ‘brave new world’ where human creativity in music will be extinguished.”
“Generative AI providers must uphold copyright laws and compensate authors for their creative efforts.”
Dr. Kai Welp, GEMA
Dr. Kai Welp, General Counsel at GEMA, stated: “Generative AI providers must respect copyright law and adequately reward authors for their creative endeavors. Regrettably, numerous AI vendors have previously chosen to ignore these critical issues. This must be rectified.
“The litigation against Suno Inc. is part of GEMA’s broader strategy to ensure just treatment and fair compensation for authors.”
Lucas focuses on the interaction between music and society. He specializes in how music influences and reflects cultures, analyzing the role of sound in social, political, and cultural events around the world.
