Judge denies Sony Music's bid to add 30,442 recordings to its Udio lawsuit
A New York federal judge has denied Sony Music’s request to add 30,442 sound recordings to its copyright lawsuit against AI music platform Udio. The ruling from Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, issued July 2, 2026, keeps the case at the 333 works Sony originally put in suit. Sony had identified the extra recordings after gaining access to Udio’s training data in discovery, and filed to add them on May 22.
Why the judge kept the case at 333 works
Hellerstein ruled that a late, large expansion would derail the schedule. “Adding more than 30,000 works near the close of document discovery would require substantial additional production and review, generate further disputes, and materially alter the scope of the case before me,” he wrote in the order.
Sony had told the court it identified the additional recordings inside Udio’s training set after discovery, and called the number “only a fraction” of the matches it found. Udio opposed the amendment, arguing it would restart discovery weeks before a fair-use ruling.
What the ruling means for Udio’s damages exposure
The denied expansion would have multiplied Udio’s potential liability. US copyright law caps statutory damages at $150,000 per work for willful infringement, so the difference between 333 works and 30,442 is the difference between a bounded number and a catastrophic one.
Keeping the case small also keeps it fast. That matters because the Sony fair-use ruling, when it lands, will help set the price every other AI music platform pays to license recordings.
Sony stands alone against Udio
Sony Music, together with subsidiaries Arista Music and Arista Records, is now the sole remaining major-label plaintiff suing Udio. The case began in June 2024, when the RIAA sued Udio and rival Suno on behalf of the majors for “mass infringement.”
The other two majors have since cut deals. Universal Music settled in October 2025, striking a licensing agreement for a planned AI music service, and Warner Music followed weeks later. Sony is the holdout, and this ruling sets the board for the fight that remains.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Judge Hellerstein deny Sony Music's motion to expand the Udio lawsuit?
Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein ruled that adding more than 30,000 works near the close of document discovery would require substantial new production and review, spark further disputes, and materially alter the scope of the case. He denied the motion on July 2, 2026, keeping the case at its original size.
How many recordings remain in Sony Music's lawsuit against Udio?
333. The ruling keeps Sony's case against Udio at the 333 sound recordings the label originally named, rather than the 30,442 it sought to add after reviewing Udio's training data in discovery.
How does the ruling affect Udio's potential damages?
It caps Udio's exposure at the 333 works in suit. US copyright law allows up to $150,000 per work for willful infringement, so blocking the 30,442-recording expansion removes a large potential multiplier from Udio's damages math.
About the author
Covering AI music tools, industry shifts, and news for music creators and professionals. Twice-weekly newsletter at aimusicpreneur.com.
