Music labels including Universal Music Group, Sony Music and Warner Music Group accused AI startups Suno and Udio of violating copyright to train their models in lawsuits lodged by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The suits allege that the two firms used copyrighted sound recordings without authorisation to train their models and generate similar compositions on an "almost unimaginable scale", and that these compositions result in the production of music that competes with and devalues the original works.

The labels argue that the two companies' use of their recordings does not qualify as fair use due to its commercial nature and the negative impact on the market for the original recordings, and are seeking damages of up to USD 150,000 per copyrighted work used without permission. 

They are also requesting injunctions to stop the alleged unauthorised use of their music libraries for the training of third-party AI systems.

The legal action is part of a broader effort to challenge AI firms' use of copyrighted material without permission, with the music industry arguing that illegal AI services threaten musicians’ rights and livelihoods and potentially reduce the quality of new music.

The legal action follows a similar lawsuit by UMG against Anthropic.