Suno fights to keep its Warner licensing deal secret in the UMG and Sony lawsuit
Suno is digging in to keep its Warner Music licensing deal sealed. On July 16, 2026, the AI music company filed a 20-page response opposing Universal Music and Sony Music’s push to obtain the contract, arguing disclosure would “threaten to chill future settlements,” per Digital Music News.
The fight sits inside the RIAA v. Suno case in Boston. Warner settled in November 2025 and signed a licensing deal; Sony and Universal stayed in court and are pushing to expand the case to 61,026 recordings. Now the two remaining plaintiffs want to read the deal their former co-plaintiff signed.
Why the Suno and Warner contract is worth a discovery war
The labels argue the Warner deal proves a licensing market for AI training exists, which would inflate their damages theory. Magistrate Judge Paul Levenson denied the request in April, finding the contract’s relevance “marginal” and the potential for chilling settlements high.
Settlements of litigation have little persuasive bearing on identifying and characterizing markets for intellectual property.
Universal and Sony formally objected to the denial. Suno answered in May, a July 9 hearing brought no resolution, and the July 16 filing is Suno’s latest word on the objection.
The contract’s contents reach beyond this case. The musicians’ union AFM is suing Warner and Universal over members’ share of AI licensing money, a suit Warner is moving to dismiss. Knowing which Warner tracks got licensed to Suno would tell the AFM whose recordings, and whose paychecks, sit inside the deal. Suno also has a second front to protect: it cited the parallel Udio ruling to block the 61,026-track expansion, and every sealed document keeps its settlement leverage intact.
Frequently asked questions
Why do Universal and Sony want to see the Suno and Warner Music contract?
Universal Music and Sony Music argue the Warner deal proves a market exists for licensing music to generative AI companies, which would strengthen their damages case against Suno. Magistrate Judge Paul Levenson rejected the argument in April 2026, writing settlements have little persuasive bearing on characterizing IP markets.
What did Suno say about disclosing its Warner Music deal terms?
In its July 16, 2026 filing, Suno argued handing the contract to Universal and Sony would threaten to chill future settlements. The two labels are Suno's active courtroom opponents, so revealing what Warner accepted would hand them a negotiating floor.
Did the court order Suno to reveal the Warner Music licensing agreement?
No. Magistrate Judge Paul Levenson denied the labels' discovery request in April 2026. Universal and Sony formally objected to the denial, a July 9 hearing brought no resolution, and the objection now sits with the court after Suno's 20-page response.
About the author
Covering AI music tools, industry shifts, and news for music creators and professionals. Twice-weekly newsletter at aimusicpreneur.com.
