The court ruled in favour of GEMA, the German Collective Management Organisation, in its case against AI music generator Suno. GEMA argued that, through simple text prompts, Suno produces songs that are “misleadingly similar” to original works in GEMA’s repertoire without obtaining licenses.
The court in Munich found that Suno did not have the right to process the music of artists represented by GEMA without their consent, that storing GEMA’s repertoire infringed their mechanical rights, distributing this music to the public breached their making available right, and that Suno had to provide more information about the illicit revenues it had earned through these breaches of copyright law.
During the proceedings, GEMA demonstrated that Suno could reproduce songs it represents with identical lyrics, similar musical styles and even matching titles, despite prompts containing no reference to melody, harmony, rhythm or arrangement. Explore more.
Tom Gray, Chair of The Ivors Academy, said: "“Where music is used to make commercial output, it obviously has to be legally licensed. Congratulations to GEMA for putting their money and resources into this important victory for songwriters and composers. Proof, were it needed, that on this side of the Atlantic we have our own rules and our own copyright law. Waiting for the USA to produce flawed precedents within their increasingly dubious legal framework is not the path. Collection societies everywhere take note.”
Roberto Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy, said: “Let’s be very clear, AI companies don’t get to use songwriters’ or composers’ work without permission. New technology doesn’t make copyright optional. GEMA has won an important victory for music, a huge thanks to them for bringing this case. Now other Collective Management Organisations and courts around the world must continue to uphold the fundamental principle that copyright law must be protected, respected and strengthened.”
