From Music Business Worldwide · · 1m 40s
Suno Challenges Apple on Music Catalog Survival
Suno demands Apple testify on whether Apple Music could survive without UMG and Sony catalogs, claiming labels use them as a cudgel for anti-AI concessions.
In brief
Suno demands Apple testify on whether Apple Music could survive without UMG and Sony catalogs, claiming labels use them as a cudgel for anti-AI concessions. Suno seeks Apple testimony on Apple Music's viability without major labels' catalogs, arguing the labels exploit their catalogs to extract anti-AI concessions…
Suno's Legal Challenge
Suno filed opposition to Apple's motion to block deposition questions about Apple Music's survival without UMG and Sony catalogs.
“Suno is fighting to make Apple answer questions, under oath, about whether Apple Music could survive without the catalogs of Universal Music Group and Sony Music”
Apple's Motion to Block
Apple asked a California federal court to block Suno's deposition questions, calling topics irrelevant, overbroad, and disproportionate.
“Apple casts itself as a bystander whose 'sole connection' to this case is that its service is one of several places where music 'can be played'”
Suno's Core Argument
Suno claims UMG and Sony made Apple Music central to the case, using their catalogs as a cudgel to win anti-AI concessions.
“Plaintiffs’ theory of market harm depends on what happens on platforms like Apple’s, one of the labels’ biggest digital music partners”
Copyright Lawsuit Background
UMG and Sony sued Suno in June 2024 over 560 recordings, seeking up to $150,000 per work infringed.
“The labels are seeking up to USD $150,000 per work infringed, a theoretical maximum of around USD $84 million”
Suno's Fair Use Defense
Suno argues labels' deals with Apple set royalty calculations, excluding AI content from royalty pools.
“Plaintiffs’ complaint explicitly names Apple Music as a destination for Suno outputs”
Suno's Copyright Misuse Claim
Suno claims labels use their catalogs as a cudgel to extract anti-AI concessions beyond copyright law.
“The core of Suno’s copyright misuse defense is that Plaintiffs use their copyright monopoly and ‘must have’ catalog as a cudgel”
Apple's Fraud Detection
Apple deployed AI-generated music detection tool in March 2026, identifying 2 billion fraudulent streams.
“Apple recently reported that its efforts to address the flood of AI uploads included exclusion of 2 billion fraudulent streams last year”
Suno's Testimony Request
Suno seeks Apple testimony on licensing negotiations, Apple Music viability without catalogs, streaming fraud, and label communications.
“Suno has agreed to accept a written sworn statement from Apple on five of the nine topics in its original demand”
Apple's Counterargument
Apple claims Suno's questions are a fishing expedition to gain insight into Apple's business operations.
“Apple calls Suno’s questions about the viability of Apple Music without the majors 'a fishing expedition by a new entrant to the music industry'”
Hearing Date
A hearing on Apple's motion is scheduled for December 1, 2026, before Magistrate Judge Virginia K. DeMarchi.
“A hearing on Apple’s motion is scheduled for December 1 before Magistrate Judge Virginia K. DeMarchi”
What it means
Suno seeks Apple testimony on Apple Music's viability without major labels' catalogs, arguing the labels exploit their catalogs to extract anti-AI concessions.
