So you’ve discovered some shiny new AI music generator and you’re wondering whether to ditch old-fashioned human composers like me for good. Fair enough – those AI tools are genuinely impressive, and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t had a play myself. But before you hit ‘generate’ and plaster that track across your content, there’s something you need to know.
And as a composer with a Master’s in Electronic Composition, a decade dealing with the minefield that is music copyright, and over 20 years in this business, I’ve got a front-row seat to a legal car crash that’s about to happen.
Let’s start with what AI music generators like Suno and Udio actually offer. They’re remarkable pieces of technology – type in a prompt, wait a few seconds, and out comes a fully produced track. It’s genuinely impressive, and I say that as someone whose entire career depends on the old-fashioned method of, you know, actually composing music.
The promise is seductive: unlimited music, instant generation, seemingly free (or cheap), no need to credit anyone. For content creators drowning in deadlines, it looks like the perfect solution.
But here’s the catch – and it’s rather a large one. The legal protections underlying AI-generated music are built on sand. Don’t take my word for it; take Suno’s own admission from their terms of service: “Due to the nature of machine learning, Suno makes no representation or warranty to you that any copyright will vest in any Output.” [1]
Read that again slowly. The company itself admits it can’t promise you’ll own the copyright to what you’ve generated.
It’s a bit like buying a house where the estate agent cheerfully admits they’re not entirely sure anyone actually owns the land. You might be fine. Or you might wake up one morning to find yourself in a legal quagmire. Rather a gamble, that.
I promise to make this as painless as possible, but you really do need to understand the legal landscape here. Skip this section at your peril – this is where it gets properly concerning.
In January 2025, the US Copyright Office released its definitive guidance on AI-generated content, and the news isn’t good for AI music generators. [2] The ruling is crystal clear: 100% AI-generated content cannot be copyrighted and falls into the public domain.
The Copyright Office stated: “The outputs of generative AI can be protected by copyright only where a human author has determined sufficient expressive elements.” [2]
Now, you might think, “But I wrote the prompt! That’s creative input!” Sorry, but no. Writing a prompt – even a detailed, clever one – does not constitute authorship according to copyright law. [3] This was definitively established in the Thaler v. Perlmutter case, which concluded that copyright protection is reserved for works of human creation. [4]
Let me translate what this means in practical terms: if you generate music using an AI tool like Suno, you cannot copyright that music. Full stop. Anyone can use it, copy it, or claim it as their own, and you have absolutely no legal recourse.
Here in the UK, things are slightly different but no more reassuring. Section 9(3) of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 does provide some protection for “computer-generated works,” with copyright typically assigned to whoever made the arrangements for the work’s creation. [5]
However – and this is a significant however – the UK Intellectual Property Office is currently consulting on potentially removing this protection entirely. [6] The government is conducting a comprehensive review of AI’s economic impact, with a major report due in 2026. [7] Until then, the legal status remains uncertain at best.
Translation: even the protection that exists might disappear. Brilliant.
Here’s where it gets particularly sneaky. Suno offers “ownership” of generated tracks to paid subscribers. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Except their own help documentation explicitly admits this may not include copyright protection. [8]
| What Suno Claims to Offer | What You Actually Get | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| “Ownership” of tracks | Possibly ownership of the file | Copyright protection |
| Commercial use rights | Permission to use commercially | Legal defensibility if challenged |
| “Keep your copyrights” (Pro/Premier) | Unknown – company admits uncertainty | Clear, established copyright |
| AI-generated music | Public domain output (per US law) | Protected intellectual property |
Suno’s own documentation states: “In the US, copyright laws protect material created by a human. Music made 100% with AI would not qualify for copyright protection because a human did not write the lyrics or the music.” [8]
It’s like being given keys to a car whilst being told you might not actually be allowed to drive it. The keys are lovely, very shiny, but rather miss the point.
As you don’t own the copyright, there’s absolutely no way to stop someone from claiming it belongs to them, uploading, and distributing the track, and registering it with fingerprinting services such as ContentID. Next thing you know, every single video gets a copyright copyright claim, and all revenue is suddenly, and automatically directed to them while you fight the bots and get nowhere. Or worse these rogue parties register a full strike with you and your channel gets suspended and possibly deleted.
Don’t ask me how I know…
Now, you might be thinking this is all theoretical hand-wringing. I’m afraid not. The lawsuits are already here, they’re massive, and they’re going to reshape the entire landscape.
In June 2024, all three major music labels – Universal, Sony, and Warner – launched coordinated lawsuits against both Suno and Udio through the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). [9][10] This isn’t a small dispute over a few tracks. The RIAA accused these companies of “mass infringement of copyrighted sound recordings on an almost unimaginable scale.” [9]
Here’s the genuinely alarming bit: Suno admitted to using copyrighted music for training their AI models. [11][12] They’re arguing it’s “fair use,” but that defence is far from established in this context. The potential damages? Up to $150,000 per infringed track. [13]
These cases are ongoing in US District Courts as I write this. The outcomes will likely determine the future of AI music generation.
By November 2025, we’re seeing a pattern emerge. Udio settled with both Universal Music Group and Warner Music, though the terms remain confidential. [14] The labels are now pivoting to a “walled garden” model – licensing their catalogues to AI companies under strict conditions.
And just to put the scale of these legal battles in perspective: in September 2025, a group of authors settled a copyright infringement case against AI company Anthropic for $1.5 billion over the use of pirated books to train AI models. [15] That’s billion with a B. The largest AI copyright settlement ever recorded.
Legal experts predict more private settlements with AI companies offering equity stakes to rights holders rather than admission of wrongdoing. [15] Translation: the big players are paying enormous sums to make these problems go away quietly.
If the platforms creating AI music are admitting to training on unlicensed music, and major labels are suing for infringement with potential billion-dollar damages, where exactly does that leave content creators who innocently used that AI music?
Spoiler: potentially holding a very large, very expensive bag.
UPDATE (January 29, 2026): News has broken that illustrates just how serious the music industry is about AI copyright. Universal Music Group, Concord, and ABKCO have filed what could be “the single largest non-class action copyright case in US history” – suing an AI company for over $3 billion over alleged infringement of more than 20,000 songs.[28]
This isn’t about AI music generators like Suno or Udio. This lawsuit targets an AI text company whose models allegedly ingested copyrighted music lyrics without permission. The complaint claims the company’s founders personally torrented 5 million pirated books (including songbooks) from notorious pirate site LibGen, despite internally describing the source as “sketchy” and a “blatant violation of copyright.”[28]
The message from the music industry couldn’t be clearer: they’re going after AI companies with unprecedented legal force, regardless of whether those companies generate music or just use music in their training data. If you’re a content creator relying on AI-generated anything that might have touched copyrighted music, you’re standing uncomfortably close to a legal battlefield measured in billions.
Right, let’s talk about what happens when – not if, when – the legal dust settles. There are several possible outcomes, and none of them are particularly reassuring for anyone who’s built their content strategy around AI music.
If courts definitively rule that training AI on copyrighted music without licensing is infringement (which seems increasingly likely given the admission and settlement patterns), AI music companies face either massive damages or complete shutdown.
What happens to all the music generated on those platforms? The legal status becomes even murkier. Your back catalogue of AI music? Suddenly radioactive. No platform wants to host content with unclear legal provenance, and you’re left explaining to YouTube why that copyright claim just arrived.
If courts affirm the Copyright Office’s position that AI-generated music can’t be copyrighted, that creates its own problems. Your AI music can’t be protected – anyone can copy it, reuse it, or claim it as their own.
Found the perfect AI-generated track for your brand? Congratulations, so can your competitor. Someone steals your AI track? No legal recourse whatsoever.
Legal experts at Clifford Chance noted the paradox: “If AI-generated music does not attract copyright protection, it is in a better position to undercut human-made copyright music.” [16] Your unprotected AI music competing with other people’s unprotected AI music – it’s a race to the bottom.
This one isn’t hypothetical – it’s already underway. YouTube updated their policies in July 2025 to address AI-generated content. Music without “clear human input” may face limited reach, blocked monetisation, or takedowns. [17]
Streaming platforms are taking action too. Deezer reports receiving over 30,000 fully AI-generated tracks daily. [18] Spotify removed 75 million “spammy” tracks in just 12 months. [19] The platforms are watching, and they’re not particularly happy about the AI music deluge.
Here’s what keeps me up at night on your behalf. When something goes wrong with AI music, who takes responsibility?
The AI company’s terms and conditions (you did read those, didn’t you?) shift liability to users. If a platform removes your content, if you face a copyright claim, if legal questions arise – who do you call?
With AI music: no accountability, no support, no human to help. Your channel hangs in the balance whilst lawyers argue about whether your background music even exists in a legal sense.
Rather less appealing now, isn’t it?
If you’re thinking this might blow over, let me disabuse you of that notion. The music industry has seen what happened when it initially ignored digital disruption, and it’s not making that mistake twice.
RIAA Chairman Mitch Glazier didn’t mince words: “Unlicensed services like Suno and Udio that claim it’s ‘fair’ to copy an artist’s life’s work and exploit it for their own profit without consent or pay set back the promise of genuinely innovative AI for us all.” [9]
All three major labels have filed lawsuits and simultaneously pivoted to licensing deals with AI companies willing to play by the rules. The message is clear: work with us or face legal oblivion.
In April 2024, over 200 prominent artists signed an open letter specifically targeting AI music generators. [20][21] The signatories include Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, Stevie Wonder, Katy Perry, and the estates of Bob Marley and Frank Sinatra.
When Billie Eilish and Frank Sinatra’s estate agree on something, it’s probably worth paying attention. (Not a sentence I ever expected to write, but here we are.)
The letter warned against what they called “this assault on human creativity” and the incoming “deluge of AI-generated noise.” [20] These aren’t fringe voices – these are the artists who shape popular culture and whose work you’ve likely enjoyed for years.
Remember the AI-generated Drake and Weeknd collaboration that went viral in 2023? It racked up over 9 million views before Universal Music Group filed takedowns across every platform. [22] The song was also ruled ineligible for Grammy consideration. [23]
The lesson: major labels have the resources, the legal teams, and the determination to pursue AI content that infringes on their artists’ rights. They will win, and you don’t want to be caught in the crossfire.
Let’s make this personal. You’re not a legal scholar or a music industry executive. You’re a content creator trying to make engaging videos without spending your entire budget on music licensing. I get it – that’s precisely why I offer free music with Creative Commons licences.
But here’s what’s actually happening to creators using AI music.
Creators are already receiving copyright claims on videos using AI-generated music. One YouTuber described the process: “I submitted a dispute but the company has rejected my dispute. My next option would be to appeal the decision but if my appeal is also rejected, I will receive a copyright strike.” [24]
Think about that for a moment. You used “free” AI music, and now you’re facing a potential copyright strike that could permanently damage your channel. Three strikes, and your channel gets terminated. Permanently.
When something goes wrong with your music, who helps you?
The difference is stark. AI music is trained on copyrighted songs. If the output resembles anything in that training data – and given how training works, it almost certainly does – you might face infringement claims. And you’ll be facing them alone.
Legal expert Victoria Hasselman warned: “Artists will simply lie about the role of the AI when they apply to the copyright office. Before you know it, we’ll have thousands of registrations and no visible way of checking.” [25] Translation: the copyright database itself may become unreliable, making your position even more precarious.
You’ve spent hours crafting the perfect video. The editing is flawless, the pacing is spot-on, you’ve nailed the storytelling. Then comes the copyright claim notification at 2 AM.
Is saving 10-30 minutes searching for a perfectly fitting track, or £20 on music licensing worth risking all that work? Worth potentially losing your channel? Worth the stress of fighting claims you don’t understand?
I’d argue not, but then again, I’m a dinosaur human composer with a vested interest in your answer.
Right, enough doom and gloom. Let me tell you why human-created music is still the sensible choice. (Turns out there are some advantages to being a dinosaur.)
Human-created music benefits from centuries of legal precedent. Copyright ownership is unambiguous. Your rights are clearly defined and defensible in court should it ever come to that.
When I create a track, I own it. Full stop. No asterisks, no “maybe,” no legal grey areas. When you use my music under Creative Commons, those rights are internationally recognised and tested through decades of use.
Unlike an AI, I can explain exactly how each track was made. I can personally vouch for its originality. If you run into any problems – copyright claims, licensing questions, platform issues – there’s a real human (me) who answers emails and actually wants to help.
Every track on this site was created in my studio, by me, with my own hands. There’s a clear chain of custody from creation to your download.
Creative Commons licences, particularly CC BY 4.0 (which I use), are internationally recognised legal frameworks. [26] Millions of creators have used CC-licensed content for years without issue. The legal ground is solid, tested, and reliable.
Compare that to AI music’s “maybe you’re protected, possibly you’re not, ask your lawyer” approach.
Here’s what you get with human-composed royalty-free music: you download the track, you credit the creator (if required by the licence), and you get on with making your content. Done.
No worrying about whether your music will legally exist next year. No wondering if copyright law will shift underneath you. No concerns about platform policy changes leaving you stranded.
Legal expert analysis confirms: “An artist who uses AI to assist and enhance their own creativity is unlikely to limit copyright protection for their music as long as they avoid allowing the AI to make expressive choices for them.” [27] Translation: human involvement equals legal safety.
It’s almost as if centuries of copyright law were designed around, you know, humans creating things.
Look, I’m not here to judge anyone who’s already used AI music. Those tools are genuinely appealing, and the marketing makes them sound perfectly safe. But now that you know what you’re dealing with, here’s some practical advice.
(Remember: I’m not a lawyer, and this isn’t legal advice. I’m a composer who wants content creators to make informed choices.)
Document everything. Save your prompts, save your creative process, keep records of any modifications you made. If you end up in a legal dispute, this documentation might be your only defence.
Add significant human modifications. The more you genuinely transform the AI output, the stronger your legal position. This isn’t just tweaking the EQ – this means substantial creative changes.
Write your own lyrics if the track includes them (no, not AI generated lyrics…) Lyrics CAN be copyrighted, even if the underlying music cannot. [8] At least you’ll have some protectable elements.
Avoid prompts referencing specific artists or songs. “Make something like Drake” or “in the style of Taylor Swift” is a legal minefield waiting to explode.
The US Copyright Office recommends fully disclosing any AI-generated portions when registering work. [2] Legal advisers suggest that human “selection, arrangement, and creative modifications may qualify” for copyright protection. [27]
In other words: use AI as a tool to assist you, not as a replacement for human creativity. The more human involvement, the better your legal position.
What happens if the AI platform you’re using shuts down or changes its terms? Can you prove the provenance of your music if challenged in three years? Is the short-term convenience worth the long-term uncertainty?
These are questions worth asking before you commit your entire back catalogue to legally dubious AI music.
Right, I’ve thrown a lot of information at you. Let’s bring this back to earth.
AI music generators aren’t inherently evil – they’re genuinely impressive technology created by clever people. The problem isn’t the technology itself; it’s the legal foundation (or lack thereof) underneath it.
The legal status of AI-generated music ranges from uncertain to nonexistent. Major litigation is ongoing. The landscape could shift dramatically at any moment. When that happens – and it will happen – content creators using AI music may find themselves legally exposed with no support network.
Here’s what I believe: free music shouldn’t mean you’re on your own when legal issues arise. It shouldn’t mean gambling with your channel’s future. It shouldn’t mean lying awake wondering if your background music might cause your content to be taken down.
Clear copyright, accountability, human support, and legal certainty – these aren’t luxuries. They’re necessities for building a sustainable content creation career.
If you’re looking for music that won’t land you in legal hot water, you’re in the right place. Every track in my library was composed by an actual human (me), comes with clear Creative Commons licensing, and includes personal support if you ever need it.
Browse the collection, find something that fits your project, and create your content with confidence. And if you ever have questions about using my music – licensing, copyright, technical issues, whether my cat deserves a credit – just drop me a line. I’m a real human, and I actually respond.
After all, that’s one thing AI definitely can’t replicate.
Shane Ivers is a composer and founder of Silverman Sound Studios, providing free royalty-free music to content creators worldwide. With a Master’s degree in Music specialising in Electronic Composition and over 20 years of professional experience, Shane creates free-range organic music across diverse genres under the Creative Commons CCBY 4.0 licence. Unlike AI music generators, Shane personally stands behind every track and offers direct support to creators using his music.
Did you find this article helpful? Share it with fellow content creators who might be considering AI music for their projects.
Have questions about copyright, licensing, or using royalty-free music? Contact Shane directly – unlike AI, he actually responds.
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