Sony expands Udio lawsuit to 30,000 songs after AI training data discovery

Sony files second copyright lawsuit against Udio

Sony Music Entertainment has filed a new federal lawsuit against AI music generator Udio, alleging copyright infringement of more than 30,000 songs. The complaint, filed Monday in New York federal court, includes works spanning from Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" to Beyoncé's "Say My Name" and Harry Styles' "As It Was."

The expanded legal action follows Sony's access to Udio's training data through the discovery process in an earlier lawsuit. Using audio fingerprinting technology, Sony identified the additional copyrighted recordings that it claims Udio "copied and ingested into its generative AI models."

Why it matters

This case represents a critical test of whether AI companies can use copyrighted music for training without permission or compensation. The outcome could establish precedent for how generative AI models must handle intellectual property rights across creative industries, potentially affecting the business models of dozens of AI startups.

The original 2024 lawsuit and its limitations

In 2024, Sony joined Universal Music Group and Warner Records in filing the first lawsuit against Udio and competitor Suno. That initial complaint covered 333 works. After gaining discovery access to Udio's training data, Sony attempted to expand the original case to include the newly identified 30,000 songs, but a judge rejected that motion.

Sony now says the 30,000 songs in the new lawsuit represent "only a small portion" of the company's works that Udio infringed, suggesting the scope could expand further.

Udio's admission about training methods

According to Sony's filing, Udio acknowledged that its AI models were "constructed by showing the program a vast amount of different kinds of sound recordings," including content sourced from YouTube. This admission forms part of Sony's argument that the company knowingly used copyrighted material without authorization.

Industry split on AI music partnerships

The lawsuit highlights a divide in how major music companies are approaching AI-generated music. While Sony pursues litigation, both Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group have since settled with Udio and entered into partnership agreements with the company.

This shift reflects the broader music industry's evolving stance on AI technology—moving from pure opposition toward selective collaboration as generative audio tools become more sophisticated and potentially unavoidable.

The details were first reported by Music Business Worldwide.