The Big Picture

On August 18, 2025, AI music platform Suno filed a motion to dismiss a class-action lawsuit brought by independent artists and producers. The plaintiffs allege that Suno trained its AI on copyrighted recordings without permission and that its outputs “substantially imitate” protected works.

Suno’s defense: its model doesn’t copy audio. Instead, it generates entirely new sounds, meaning its outputs cannot infringe under U.S. copyright law.

Suno’s Argument in Three Points

1. No Sampling: Under 17 U.S.C. §114(b), infringement of a sound recording requires copying the actual audio. Suno says it never inserts or reuses recordings in outputs.
2. Similarity ≠ Infringement: Just because a Suno track “feels like” another song doesn’t mean it violates copyright.
3. Innovation at Stake: Suno frames this lawsuit as an attack on creativity — warning that restricting AI training could limit opportunities for independent creators.

“No Suno output contains anything like a ‘sample’ from a recording in the training set.”
— Suno Legal Filing, August 18, 2025

Why This Matters

• For AI Music Creators: A Suno win could keep AI-assisted workflows open and accessible. A loss could mean higher costs, tighter rules, and licensed datasets only.
• For Rights Holders: The case tests how far copyright protection extends when AI learns from existing works.
• For the Industry: Platforms like Udio, ElevenLabs, and others are watching closely — billions in future royalties are on the line.

Industry Context in August

The Suno filing comes during a pivotal month for AI music:

• Indie Artist Class Action: Filed in June 2025 by country musician Anthony “Tony” Justice and 5th Wheel Records.
• Major Label Lawsuits: Sony, Universal, and Warner continue separate cases against Suno and Udio.
• Licensed AI Alternative: On August 5, ElevenLabs launched Eleven Music — the first AI platform with full licensing via Merlin and Kobalt.
• Creator Milestone: On August 31, AP reported that imoliver, an AI-enabled music creator, signed one of the first label deals of its kind.

What Creators Should Do Now

• Follow the Suno case timeline — the court’s decision on dismissal will set a major precedent.
• Read platform policies carefully — know how AI tools train and what rights you keep.
• Prepare for both outcomes: a licensed-data future or a similarity-tolerant one.

Sources

• Music Business Worldwide — Suno’s motion to dismiss (Aug 26, 2025)
• MBW — Indie artist class action background (June 2025)
• MBW — Eleven Music launches with full licensing (Aug 5, 2025)
• AP — AI creator imoliver signs label deal (Aug 31, 2025)