This week, BMG filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against AI giant Anthropic, alleging that the company unlawfully copied and used its compositions to train its large language models.
Meanwhile, Warner Music Group and Netflix formed a creative partnership to make documentaries based on WMG’s roster of artists and songwriters.
Plus, the IFPI published its Global Music Report 2026, revealing that global recorded music revenues hit $31.7 billion in 2025.
Elsewhere, Universal Music Group Chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge became the first music executive to take the stage at NVIDIA’s GTC conference – dubbed the “Super Bowl of AI.”
Also this week, Tencent Music Entertainment revealed that its higher-priced ‘Super VIP’ subscriber base surpassed 20 million by the end of 2025.
Here are some of the biggest headlines from the past few days…
1. BMG SUES ANTHROPIC FOR INFRINGEMENT, ALLEGING AI FIRM’S $380B VALUATION WAS BUILT ON ‘STOLEN COPYRIGHTED WORKS’
BMG Rights Management has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Anthropic, the AI giant behind the Claude AI chatbot.
The Bertelsmann-owned music company alleges that Anthropic unlawfully copied and used its compositions, including lyrics, to train its large language models.
The 47-page complaint, filed on Tuesday (March 17) in the Northern District of California, cites 493 allegedly infringed musical compositions, including What a Wonderful World, Kryptonite, You Can’t Always Get What You Want, Uptown Funk, Sympathy for the Devil, and more.
The lawsuit is the latest to be filed against Anthropic by a major music publisher… (MBW)
2. GLOBAL RECORDED MUSIC REVENUES HIT $31.7B IN 2025, UP 6.4% YOY; USERS OF PAID MUSIC SUBSCRIPTIONS REACH 837M
Global recorded music revenues reached USD $31.7 billion in 2025. That’s according to the IFPI, the organization that represents the recording industry worldwide.
Figures released on Wednesday (March 18) in IFPI’s Global Music Report 2026 show that global recorded music revenues grew by 6.4% YoY in 2025 – an improvement on the 4.7% rate of growth posted in 2024 — marking the global industry’s eleventh consecutive year of growth.
The report also shows that global recorded music revenues grew in every region, with double-digit growth in four regions.
IFPI’s report identifies paid subscription streaming as the key driver of growth globally… (MBW)
3. SIR LUCIAN GRAINGE JUST BECAME THE FIRST MUSIC EXEC AT NVIDIA’S ‘SUPER BOWL OF AI’. HERE’S WHAT HE SAID.
Universal Music Group‘s Chairman & CEO Sir Lucian Grainge has become the first music industry leader to take the stage at NVIDIA’s GTC conference – described by NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang as the “Super Bowl of AI”.
Grainge sat down with NVIDIA’s VP and General Manager for Media & Entertainment, Richard Kerris, for a fireside chat entitled ‘Building the Future of Music and AI’ at the San Jose conference on Tuesday (March 17).
Here are five things MBW learned from the conversation… (MBW)
4. TENCENT MUSIC NOW HAS 20M+ ‘SUPER VIP’ SUBSCRIBERS. HERE’S WHAT THAT MEANS FOR CHINA’S LARGEST MUSIC STREAMER.
Tencent Music Entertainment‘s (TME) ‘Super VIP’ tier has just hit a major new milestone.
TME published its Q4 and full-year 2025 results on Tuesday (March 17), revealing that its SVIP subscribers surpassed 20 million by year-end – up from the 15 million the company reported at the end of Q2, and just 10 million in Q3 2024.
That growth trajectory – doubling in barely over a year – tells us something important about the appetite for higher-priced music streaming, and offers a real-world blueprint for what higher-priced streaming tiers could deliver.
Here’s what the numbers show… (MBW)
5. WARNER MUSIC GROUP INKS EXCLUSIVE NETFLIX DEAL TO MAKE ARTIST AND SONGWRITER DOCUMENTARIES
Warner Music Group (WMG) has signed what it calls an “exclusive multi-year first-look deal” with Netflix.
Under the creative partnership, the companies say the streamer will develop “documentary series and films exploring the lives, music and legacies of WMG’s legendary and contemporary artists and songwriters.”
WMG is partnering with Unigram, a film, theatre, and music production company run by Amanda Ghost and Gregor Cameron, to serve as the production arm for WMG’s long-form programming. Ghost founded Unigram in 2015 in partnership with Len Blavatnik‘s Access Industries, which is the majority owner of WMG.
As per a press release, WMG and Unigram will work to develop each project in collaboration with the artist or their estates… (MBW)
Partner message: MBW’s Weekly Round-up is supported by BMI, the global leader in performing rights management, dedicated to supporting songwriters, composers and publishers and championing the value of music. Find out more about BMI here. Music Business Worldwide
Music Business Worldwide Weekly Round-Up: Key Highlights from the Music Industry
This week’s edition of Music Business Worldwide’s Weekly Round-up brings you the five most significant stories that have made headlines in the past week, backed by BMI, a leading entity in performing rights management that supports songwriters, composers, and publishers while advocating for the importance of music.
- BMG Files Lawsuit Against Anthropic for Copyright Infringement
BMG Rights Management has initiated a legal battle against Anthropic, the AI company known for its Claude AI chatbot, claiming that the firm unlawfully copied its musical compositions for training its language models. The lawsuit, lodged in California’s Northern District, lists 493 works allegedly infringed, including iconic songs like « What a Wonderful World, » « Uptown Funk, » and « Sympathy for the Devil. » BMG’s suit contends that Anthropic’s substantial $380 billion valuation is partially based on these purportedly stolen copyrighted materials, marking a pivotal moment in the intersection of music rights and AI technology.
- IFPI Reports Record Growth in Global Recorded Music Revenues
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) has released its Global Music Report 2026, showcasing a significant rise in global recorded music revenues, which reached $31.7 billion in 2025, marking a 6.4% increase year-on-year. This growth is noteworthy as it represents the eleventh consecutive year of expansion for the global music industry, with all regions experiencing revenue increases, including four regions with double-digit growth. The surge in paid subscription streaming services is identified as the primary driver of this upward trend, highlighting the ongoing evolution of music consumption patterns.
- Sir Lucian Grainge Takes the Stage at NVIDIA’s GTC Conference
Universal Music Group’s Chairman and CEO, Sir Lucian Grainge, made history by becoming the first music executive to present at NVIDIA’s GTC conference, referred to as the « Super Bowl of AI. » During his talk, titled “Building the Future of Music and AI,” Grainge discussed the implications of AI in the music industry and the potential for innovation and collaboration between technology and music. Engaging in a conversation with NVIDIA’s VP of Media & Entertainment, Richard Kerris, Grainge shared insights on how AI could shape the future of music creation and distribution.
- Tencent Music Entertainment Hits Milestone with ‘Super VIP’ Subscribers
Tencent Music Entertainment (TME) has reported a significant milestone, surpassing 20 million subscribers for its high-tier ‘Super VIP’ service by the end of 2025. This marks a substantial increase from the 15 million subscribers reported in Q2 and just 10 million in Q3 2024. The rapid growth in TME’s higher-priced subscription tier indicates a strong market appetite for premium music streaming options, providing a model for other platforms looking to enhance their offerings in a competitive landscape.
- Warner Music Group Partners with Netflix for Artist Documentaries
Warner Music Group (WMG) has entered into an exclusive multi-year agreement with Netflix to produce documentary series and films that explore the lives and legacies of WMG’s artists and songwriters. This collaboration will involve the production company Unigram, founded by Amanda Ghost and Gregor Cameron, which will handle the long-form programming. The partnership aims to deliver in-depth narratives about both legendary and contemporary musicians, fostering a deeper connection between artists and their audiences through visual storytelling.
Conclusion
This week’s round-up encapsulates significant developments in the music industry, from legal battles over copyright infringement in the age of AI to impressive growth in recorded music revenues and innovative partnerships between music labels and streaming platforms. As the industry adapts to technological advancements and changing consumer preferences, these stories reflect the dynamic landscape of the global music business and its ongoing evolution.
