Warner Music settles with AI music startup Suno and sells Songkick
Warner Music just made a strategic AI pivot. Here’s how it impacts music marketing and IP
Warner Music Group (WMG) just made its stance on AI-generated music clear. It is not about rejecting the technology. It is about shaping the rules.
The label announced a wide-reaching deal with AI music startup Suno that not only resolves an ongoing copyright lawsuit but sets up a long-term partnership around licensed AI models. Warner also sold its live music discovery platform Songkick to Suno, signaling a strategic pivot away from fan-facing tech infrastructure.
This article breaks down Warner’s move, the shift in music industry dynamics, and what marketers should consider as AI-generated content becomes more mainstream.
Short on time?
Here is a table of content for quick access:
- Warner drops lawsuit and signs licensing deal with Suno
- Warner exits fan tech with Songkick sale
- Investors are backing the AI music wave
- What marketers should know
Patrecia Meliana
Warner drops lawsuit and signs licensing deal with Suno
The agreement settles a lawsuit filed last year by WMG, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment. The claim: Suno was training its AI models on copyrighted music without permission.
Now, Warner is opting for collaboration. Under the deal, Suno will replace its current models with licensed alternatives in 2026. Warner’s artists and songwriters will have full control over whether and how their voices, names, likenesses, and compositions appear in AI-generated music.
The news comes just one week after Warner struck a similar settlement with another AI music startup, Udio. Universal and Sony have not yet settled their respective lawsuits, but both are reportedly in licensing talks with Suno and Udio.
Patrecia Meliana
Warner exits fan tech with Songkick sale
In addition to the Suno deal, Warner announced it has sold Songkick, a concert discovery app, to Suno for an undisclosed amount. The label had acquired Songkick’s app and brand in 2017, while Live Nation had already taken over its ticketing business.
Suno says Songkick will continue as a fan destination. While the future product roadmap is unclear, the acquisition could allow Suno to blend AI-driven music generation with personalized fan experiences—something Warner appears content to leave to external partners.
This also suggests Warner is refocusing on core IP licensing, rather than competing in the crowded direct-to-fan tech space.
Investors are backing the AI music wave
Suno’s rapid momentum has not gone unnoticed. Just last week, the startup raised US$250 million in a Series C round led by Menlo Ventures, with participation from NVentures (Nvidia’s venture arm), Hallwood Media, Lightspeed, and Matrix.
The funding puts Suno’s post-money valuation at US$2.45 billion. With Warner’s endorsement and monetization in motion, the company is positioned to go from experimental tool to mainstream platform.
Starting next year, only paid users will be able to download music from Suno. Free-tier users will be restricted to listening and sharing songs they create. This shift hints at a broader move toward licensing-based monetization models similar to those used by streaming services.
What marketers should know
This deal is more than a copyright resolution. It marks the start of an era where AI music tools are regulated, monetized, and brand-safe. Here is what marketers need to keep in mind:
- IP and brand control are non-negotiable
Warner’s artists will decide how their voices and likenesses get used in AI tracks. This is a blueprint for protecting artist brand value and ensuring AI-generated content aligns with their public image.
- AI music may soon be ad-friendly
With licensed tracks and opt-in artist controls, marketers could begin using AI-generated music in campaigns without legal risk. This opens up options for custom brand anthems, localized jingles, and flexible soundtracking.
- Fan platforms are evolving
With Songkick under its belt, Suno could start merging AI music creation with concert promotion and fan personalization. Marketers in music, live events, and entertainment should keep an eye on what new formats emerge from this integration.
- Early adoption means creative advantage
As more music companies follow Warner’s lead, AI-music collaboration will no longer be fringe. Brands that experiment now will be better positioned to create sound experiences that are legal, on-brand, and scalable.
Warner’s decision to partner with Suno and offload Songkick marks a turning point. Labels are no longer just defending IP—they are proactively shaping how AI is used to create and distribute music.
For marketers, this means the experimentation window is narrowing. AI-generated audio is heading toward regulation and legitimacy. Those who move early can shape how their brand sounds in a world where anyone can create a track with a prompt.
