After Universal and Sony Lawsuits, Suno Will Watermark AI Songs

Audio Tagging and New Community Rules Arrive at Suno

According to НВ — Техно: On August 6, Suno said it would begin embedding audio watermarks and digital fingerprints into tracks created through its platform, alongside a revamp of its community rules. The move lands as the AI music company faces copyright suits brought by Universal Music Group and Sony Music Group, coordinated by the RIAA, and follows a German court decision that sided with collecting society GEMA and found Suno liable for copyright infringement. It also reflects how quickly the legal landscape around generative music is shifting for AI startups and record labels alike.

Among the record labels' key grievances is that users took AI-generated songs and posted them to other streaming services, with some manipulating algorithms to make money. In response, Suno says it is introducing an updated upload policy designed to stop tracks from being mass-distributed across streaming platforms. The specifics of that policy have not yet been made public.

Community Rules Tightened, CEO Speaks Out

The revised community rules now prohibit deceptive audio presented as real, as well as the use of a real person's voice or likeness without permission. Suno co-founder and CEO Mikey Shulman said in a statement:

"These tools are designed to be durable and resistant to tampering without affecting the listening experience. They're also not intended to judge whether a song is good, meaningful, or sufficiently human. Ultimately, we believe artists and platforms should decide for themselves what to disclose." - Mikey Shulman

Separately, Suno experienced a data breach in November 2025 that affected 55 million users. The company has also gathered training material for its AI models from YouTube, Deezer, and Genius. These policy changes signal an effort to address legal pressure and copyright concerns while shaping how generative music can be shared and promoted online.

As the landscape of AI music continues to evolve, Spotify has introduced a new AI tool that allows artists to create covers and remixes with their approval. This development highlights the increasing collaboration between technology and artists, further complicating the challenges faced by companies like Suno amid legal scrutiny over copyright issues.