Suno admits in court filing that it took YouTube audio for AI training
In its September 1 answer to UMG, Capitol and Sony Music, Suno admits obtaining YouTube audio via YT-DLP for training, while pleading fair use and disputing the labels' standing on the DMCA claim.
Suno has admitted in a court filing that audio data was obtained from YouTube for use as training data, using the open-source tool YT-DLP. The admission appears in the AI company's September 1 answer to the first amended complaint from UMG Recordings, Capitol Records and Sony Music Entertainment, filed in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
Suno's first affirmative defence argues that any copying of copyrightable expression is fair use. It also disputes whether the labels have standing to bring their DMCA anti-circumvention, or "stream ripping", claim. Among 13 defences, Suno alleges the labels have engaged in anticompetitive activities extending an unlawful monopoly over music — an allegation, not a finding.
The labels seek up to $150,000 per work across 560 recordings; Suno argues any infringement was innocent, which would cut statutory damages to $200 per work. The filing also admits over 12 million users have generated music with the product. Fact discovery closes September 30.
Source: Music Business Worldwide