Rights holders of Elvis Presley and Eminem sue AI music company Suno
A group holding rights to Elvis Presley's music and the publisher of some of Eminem's biggest records have filed lawsuits against Suno, a US company that generates music with artificial intelligence. The plaintiffs claim its system illegally mimics these artists' voices and lyrics.
Two new lawsuits have been filed against Suno, a US company that generates music using artificial intelligence, by the rights holders of Elvis Presley's music and by the publisher of some of Eminem's biggest records. They allege that Suno illegally produces music and lyrics that imitate these artists. The cases matter because they add to a growing list of legal challenges the company already faces over the use of AI in music.
Lawyers for Presley's rights holders cite Tennessee's ELVIS Act (Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security), which makes it illegal for an AI company to clone a singer's voice. The complaint says Suno has "mechanically encoded itself" with artists' identities, effort and creativity, and uses them to generate a steady flow of money. Elsewhere, the lawyers write that the company's aim is to make human creativity obsolete by replicating, without a licence and within seconds, what takes years to learn and refine.
A similar case already exists
The suits closely mirror one filed in September by musician Jason Isbell and others. That complaint claimed Suno created imitations of the plaintiffs but did not directly allege copyright infringement.
Suno's response
Suno spokesperson Cat McCormack told The Verge that the company exists to help people create new, original music rather than trade on anyone's name or likeness, and that it prohibits unauthorised use of an artist's work. She said the platform does not allow prompts containing specific artists' names and songs, and works with third-party providers to screen uploaded audio files and lyrics for potential misuse. The company says it is continuing to strengthen its safeguards.
Suno is already facing lawsuits from Sony, UMG, Isbell, Reservoir Media and others.
