Warner Music Group announced a settlement with AI music platform Suno on November 25, 2025, and simultaneously entered into a partnership that will allow Suno to develop licensed AI music models. The agreement includes the sale of Songkick, the live‑music discovery app that Warner had acquired in 2017, to Suno and a commitment that Suno will restrict audio downloads to paid subscribers only.
Under the terms of the deal, Suno will offer artists and songwriters an opt‑in mechanism that gives them full control over the use of their names, images, likenesses, voices and compositions in AI‑generated music. While the partnership does not yet list specific artists who have opted in, the framework is designed to protect creators’ rights and provide a revenue stream for those who choose to participate. The financial terms of the settlement, including the sale price of Songkick, were not disclosed in the announcement.
The partnership signals Warner’s strategic shift from a purely defensive litigation stance to an active licensing model. By shaping the AI models that will use its catalog, Warner aims to capture new revenue streams while ensuring that artists receive appropriate compensation and control. This move aligns with CEO Robert Kyncl’s “legislate, litigate, and license” strategy and positions Warner as a leader in the emerging AI music market.
Suno plans to launch a new generation of licensed AI music models in 2026 that will replace the current versions. The updated models are expected to offer higher fidelity and broader creative possibilities while remaining compliant with Warner’s licensing framework. The partnership also integrates Songkick’s live‑music discovery capabilities, potentially creating a richer experience that blends AI‑generated tracks with real‑world concert data.
CEO Robert Kyncl said the deal is “a victory for the creative community that benefits everyone” and highlighted the company’s commitment to giving artists a voice in the AI space. Suno CEO Mikey Shulman added that the collaboration “unlocks a bigger, richer Suno experience for music lovers” and accelerates the company’s mission to make music more valuable to billions of people.
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