Elvis and Eminem rights holders start two lawsuits against Suno

Rights owners of the music of Elvis Presley and the publisher of large Eminem records started two new lawsuits against Suno, an AI music company. They tell that Suno makes music and lyrics that copy the two artists. The Presley lawyers tell that Suno broke the ELVIS Act, a law of Tennessee in the US. It makes it illegal for an AI company to clone the voice of a singer.

What the suits tell

Each suit tells that Suno makes music and lyrics that copy the artists without approval. The Presley lawyers tell that Suno used the work of artists to sell its product. They tell that Suno wants to make the work of persons not necessary.

The proof

The suits give no test results, no sum of damages and no name of a court. They follow a suit that Jason Isbell and other persons started in September. That suit told of copies, but it did not claim copyright infringement directly. Sony, UMG and Reservoir Media also have suits against Suno.

What Suno tells

Suno spokesperson Cat McCormack tells that Suno does not let users send prompts with the names of artists or songs. The spokesperson tells that Suno works with external providers to check audio that users send and lyrics. Suno tells that it will add more safeguards.

Insight: Voice law gives rights owners a second legal route against AI firms

Elvis rights owners started a $41 million suit against Anthropic on October 23 about 274 songs. At this time, Presley rights owners use a Tennessee voice law against Suno. Isbell and other persons made a suit almost the same in September that did not claim copyright infringement directly. This reads as a move to add voice law to copyright law against AI music, and it can apply to all vendors. Leaders must tell vendors how they stop output that copies one artist.