Universal Music Group sues DistroKid over AI-generated uploads and infringement
UMG's Delaware complaint accuses the world's largest-volume distributor of deceptive trade practices and copyright infringement; the claims have not been tested in court.
Universal Music Group has filed suit against DistroKid in the US District Court for the District of Delaware, alleging that the distributor has "engaged in both deceptive trade practices and blatant copyright infringement". The allegations are claims in a complaint and have not been tested in court.
UMG alleges DistroKid is "flooding platforms with AI-generated 'slop' that siphons revenue and listeners from the legitimate artists and rightsholders", and that it continues distributing tracks after conceding it holds no rights in them. The complaint states it is "not about the distribution of AI-generated music when clearly disclosed as such", but about DistroKid allegedly "masquerading as something it is not".
UMG seeks maximum statutory damages of $150,000 per work infringed. Its exhibits name 1,000 recordings — a theoretical $150 million — which the complaint calls "the tip of the iceberg". DistroKid says it distributes roughly 40% of all new music for over four million artists. In July, CVC Capital Partners agreed a ten-figure deal to majority-acquire the company. MBW says it has approached DistroKid for comment.
Source: Music Business Worldwide
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