# Sony and UMG sue Suno over 'model laundering'

> The labels claim Suno's new v6 model still infringes their copyrights by training on outputs from previous models built on unlicensed music.
- Title: Sony and UMG sue Suno over 'model laundering' · The Verge
- Summary: The labels claim Suno's new v6 model still infringes their copyrights by training on outputs from previous models built on unlicensed music. Sony and…
- Keywords: suno, sony, universal music group, copyright infringement, ai music, model laundering, v6 model, lawsuit, technology, culture, UMG, sue
- Source: The Verge — https://theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/1000758/suno-sony-umg-lawsuit-ai-music
- Author: Terrence O'Brien
- Published: 2026-09-25T15:51:56+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: suno, sony, universal music group, copyright infringement, ai music, model laundering, v6 model, lawsuit, technology, culture
## Sony and UMG file new lawsuit
Sony and Universal Music Group sued Suno again, claiming its new v6 model infringes their copyrights because it was trained on outputs from previous models built on unlicensed music from YouTube and other sources.
## The 'model laundering' accusation
In their complaint, Sony and UMG accuse Suno of model laundering, arguing that training a new model on outputs of an infringing model does not eliminate infringement but launders it through successive generations.

> Training a 'new' model on the outputs of an infringing model does not eliminate the infringement; it launders it.
## Suno's defense of v6
Suno's Jack Brody said v6 was trained from the ground up with a new set of data. Spokesperson Rachel Racusen later confirmed this included content licensed from partners, user creations, and community interactions.
## Sony alleges distillation technique
Sony further alleges that Suno used distillation to train v6, claiming it was trained to replicate results from previous teacher models that were created using infringing data.
## Labels' core argument
Sony and UMG argue that unless Suno truly starts from scratch, its models will continue to be built on stolen data. Even models not directly trained on their recordings benefit from Suno's retained unauthorized copies.

> even a model not directly trained on Plaintiffs' recordings is informed by, and benefits from, Suno's retained unauthorized copies.
## Key takeaway

Sony and Universal Music Group sued Suno again, accusing it of training v6 on outputs from previous infringing models rather than starting fresh.