UMG and Suno dispute AI training rights in copyright discovery conference

What happened

At a discovery conference in the major labels' copyright case against Suno, reported on 11 November 2026, Universal Music Group (UMG) and Suno remained at odds over evidence concerning AI training rights and potential market harm. The conference lasted roughly 80 minutes, about 29 months after the labels filed their initial complaint.

A central question is whether AI-generated audio reduces the market for recorded music or its value, an issue tied to Suno's fair-use defence. Suno argues that uncertainty over training rights and artist consent also raises questions about whether a viable market for licensing recordings for AI training exists.

UMG executive vice president of digital business development and strategy Jonathan Dworkin is expected to supplement his earlier deposition in writing, focusing on AI detection and tracking disclosures from Spotify. Counsel said some artist agreements, including Sony agreements dating to the 1980s, do not address AI training; counsel for UMG and Sony responded that neither company has affirmatively determined it lacks training rights for recordings in its catalogue.

Suno is expected to provide copies of its agreements with Believe and BMG, but not documents from the negotiations. The parties have also reached an "at least conceptual theoretical resolution" of disputes over performance and financial data, with a joint report due in one week.

The conference also addressed concessions the major labels made to secure AI-related protections against market dilution in licensing agreements with digital service providers. Discussions continue, and further depositions of digital service provider executives remain possible.