This week, BMG and Concord completed their long-awaited merger, creating a combined music company with Bob Valentine confirmed as CEO.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration sided with OpenAI in a key fair use case, arguing that AI companies can use copyrighted works to train their models — a position with potentially significant implications for the music industry’s legal battles with AI companies.
Elsewhere, Sony Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Music sued Anthropic in a multi-billion-dollar copyright lawsuit, accusing the AI company of illegally using copyrighted songs to train its Claude models.
Also this week, Jason Isbell, David Lowery and other musicians filed a class-action lawsuit against Suno, alleging the AI music company is unlawfully exploiting artists’ identities and likenesses.
Plus: Canada’s SOCAN sued AI music company Suno for copyright infringement, alleging that the platform has generated outputs that are identical or substantially similar to songs in its repertoire, including Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” and Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi.”
Here are some of the biggest headlines from the past few days…
1. The BMG and Concord merger is complete; Bob Valentine begins role as CEO of new company
BMG and Concord have on Tuesday (September 1) confirmed the successful completion of their merger.
The combined companies say the deal will “create a new global music company with the scale, expertise, and capabilities to unlock greater opportunities for creators.”
The transaction, first announced on April 28, 2026, has received “all required regulatory approvals”, according to a press release. The company’s global headquarters will be located in Nashville, with Berlin serving as its European headquarters. (MBW)
2. Donald Trump’s administration just sided with OpenAI in a key ‘fair use’ case. Here’s what it means for music’s fight with Anthropic and Suno.
The US Government has told a court that AI companies do not break copyright law when they train their models on written work without a license.
The Department of Justice set out that position on Tuesday (September 1), in a filing in the copyright lawsuit brought against OpenAI by The New York Times.
It appears to be the first time Washington has intervened in any of the copyright cases now stacked up against AI companies. (MBW)
3. Now Sony Music Publishing and Warner Chappell sue Anthropic in multi-billion dollar lawsuit: ‘One of the largest and most blatant ongoing thefts of intellectual property in history.’
Sony Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Music have joined forces to sue Anthropic, home of Claude, over what the publishers call “one of the largest and most blatant ongoing thefts of intellectual property in history.”
The complaint – obtained by MBW, and which you can read in full here – also names Anthropic Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Dario Amodei and Co-Founder Benjamin Mann as individual defendants.
It was filed on Friday (August 28) in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. (MBW)
4. Jason Isbell and David Lowery are suing Suno in a class action suit. Importantly, they’re hitting Mikey Shulman’s company with identity claims – not copyright.
Jason Isbell is suing AI music company Suno over the alleged commercial use of his identity.
The six-time Grammy winner filed a proposed class action on Monday (August 31) in Boston federal court, alongside Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven frontman David Lowery, Texas blues musician Guy Forsyth, and Florida saxophonist Eduardo Calle.
Interestingly, the 84-page lawsuit contains no copyright claim. (MBW)
5. Now Canada’s SOCAN sues Suno, claiming it illegally copied hits like ‘Both Sides Now’ and ‘Sk8er Boi’
Canada’s SOCAN has sued Suno for copyright infringement.
The collecting society filed its statement of claim in the Federal Court of Canada on Wednesday (September 2).
SOCAN is the third collecting society to take Suno to court, and the first to file since one of them won. (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 (MBW) has released its Weekly Round-up, highlighting the most significant developments in the music industry over the past week. This edition is supported by BMI, a leader in performing rights management, which focuses on supporting songwriters, composers, and publishers.
Major Highlights
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BMG and Concord Merger Finalized:
The long-anticipated merger between BMG and Concord has been officially completed as of September 1. This merger is expected to create a powerful global music company, enhancing opportunities for creators through a combination of resources and expertise. Bob Valentine has been appointed as CEO of the newly formed entity. The deal received all necessary regulatory approvals and positions the company with its global headquarters in Nashville and European headquarters in Berlin. -
US Government Sides with OpenAI in Fair Use Case:
In a significant legal development, the Trump administration has expressed support for OpenAI in a case concerning the fair use of copyrighted materials. On September 1, the Department of Justice filed a position indicating that AI companies are not violating copyright laws when using written works to train their models. This marks the first time the US government has intervened in ongoing copyright disputes involving AI, which could have far-reaching implications for the music industry and its legal confrontations with AI firms. -
Sony Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Sue Anthropic:
In a notable move, Sony Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Music have initiated a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit against Anthropic, the company behind the AI model Claude. The lawsuit, filed on August 28 in the US District Court for Northern California, accuses Anthropic of engaging in significant and blatant theft of intellectual property. The complaint also names Anthropic’s co-founders, Dario Amodei and Benjamin Mann, as individual defendants. -
Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Suno by Musicians:
Musicians Jason Isbell and David Lowery have filed a class-action lawsuit against AI music company Suno, focusing on the unauthorized use of their identities rather than copyright infringement. This lawsuit, submitted on August 31 in Boston federal court, includes other musicians such as Guy Forsyth and Eduardo Calle. The absence of copyright claims in the 84-page lawsuit is noteworthy, indicating a shift toward identity-related legal issues in the realm of AI. -
SOCAN Files Copyright Infringement Suit Against Suno:
Canada’s SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) has taken legal action against Suno for allegedly infringing copyright laws. Filed in the Federal Court of Canada on September 2, SOCAN’s lawsuit claims that the AI platform has generated outputs that are either identical or substantially similar to songs in its repertoire, including works by iconic artists like Joni Mitchell and Avril Lavigne. SOCAN is the third collecting society to pursue legal action against Suno, marking a growing trend of legal challenges faced by the AI music company.
Summary of Legal Battles in the Music Industry
The past week has underscored the tension between traditional music rights holders and emerging AI technologies. With high-profile lawsuits from major music publishers against AI companies like Anthropic and Suno, the music industry is increasingly vocal about protecting intellectual property rights. The involvement of government entities, such as the Department of Justice supporting AI companies in copyright cases, complicates the landscape further, setting the stage for a conflict between innovation and the rights of creators.
Conclusion
As the music industry grapples with the implications of AI technology, the outcomes of these legal battles could redefine the relationship between music creators and AI companies. The merger of BMG and Concord signifies a consolidation in the industry, potentially strengthening the bargaining power of traditional music companies. Meanwhile, the legal actions against AI firms highlight an urgent need for clarity and protection in the evolving digital landscape. The coming weeks and months are likely to be crucial in determining how these issues unfold and shape the future of music rights and AI development.
