Market Developments

SOCAN vs. Suno

“Innovation cannot come at the expense of human creativity. The future of music must belong to the people who create it.”

Wednesday, 21 October 2026

The Canadian CMO SOCAN is taking legal action against Suno Inc. over the unlicensed use of its works, as the international music community takes a stand. The Organization points to illegal, unlicensed, and consequently uncompensated use of its repertoire.

Nordic Digital Music Survey 2026

Streaming, AI, and Copyrights

Tuesday, 20 October 2026

The attitudes and habits of the Nordic countries regarding streaming services, AI, and music creation are highlighted in the new "Nordic Digital Music Survey," conducted by YouGov in collaboration with the CMOs Koda (Denmark), TONO (Norway), and TEOSTO (Finland), published in September 2026.

Spotify Premium: The New Agreement with Kobalt Transforming the Remix Landscape

How Users Themselves Are Legally Becoming Remix Creators Using the Music Platform's New AI Tool

Tuesday, 29 September 2026

Entering a new era, the music industry is enabling listeners to move beyond their passive observer role and join the creative process as active contributors.  

Australia Promotes Stricter Framework for AI and Resource Consumption

Focus on Copyright Protection, OpenAI Pressures, and the Role of CMOs

Tuesday, 29 September 2026

Australia is officially on a path of continuous regulatory reforms, with new proposals to limit natural resource consumption by AI data centers following statements by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on protecting the creative works of Australian creators.

American Performing Musicians Against Major Record Labels

When "New Use" Leaves Musicians Unpaid

Wednesday, 26 August 2026

A lawsuit against Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group has been filed by the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). The powerful union accuses the record labels of licensing the musical works of its members, performing musicians, to AI companies (such as Suno and Udio), without payment or recognition, in violation of collective labor agreements.

Sony Music Sues Udio Over More Than 30,000 Musical Works

MARKET DEVELOPMENTS

Tuesday, 11 August 2026

While the landscape surrounding Generative AI (GenAI) and music copyrights remains vast and uncertain, Sony Music Entertainment is carving out a new legal path.

Landmark decision: GEMA’s wins copyright lawsuit against Suno

MARKET DEVELOPMENTS

Tuesday, 04 August 2026

The court ruled in favor of the German CMO (GEMA), dismissing Suno's arguments to date and recalling a fundamental principle: technological progress must serve as a partner, not as an unfair competitor, to human creativity.

Anthropic's $1.5 Billion Settlement with Authors and Rightsholders

MARKET DEVELOPMENTS

Thursday, 23 July 2026

The company entered into a historic out-of-court settlement of $1.5 billion as compensation for the pirated use of many literary works. Andrea Bartz, Charles Graeber, and Kirk Wallace Johnson are the three authors who initiated the case in 2024, bringing it to light as one of the largest intellectual property cases in recent years. 

CISAC: 100 years in the service of creators

“Creativity is what makes us human”

Friday, 03 July 2026

Creators from around the world gathered in Paris for the CISAC General Assembly to defend the future of human creativity in the age of AI, while celebrating the Confederation’s centenary of service to creators in collective management. The CISAC centenary General Assembly culminated in the ceremonial signing of the Paris Commitment.

Björn Ulvaeus—100 Years of CISAC: Music as a Testimony of Life

Friday, 03 July 2026

"Human creativity is not merely an expression; it's a testimony to a life lived. " With these words, composer and CISAC President Björn Ulvaeus concluded his speech marking the centenary of the CISAC. Although the issue of AI dominated Ulvaeus’s address, it was not the ultimate focus of his remarks, but rather the starting point for a deeper reflection.

Human Consent Standard: Kate Blanchett, George Clooney and Meryl Streep support a new consent system for AI

Friday, 03 July 2026

Kate Blanchett co-founds RSL Media, a non-profit organization that aims to give creators and everyday users a way to declare whether they allow or prohibit the use of their image, voice, and works by Artificial Intelligence systems.

YouTube expands AI deepfake detection tool to all adult creators

MARKET DEVELOPMENTS

Sunday, 17 May 2026

Until recently, this feature was in a pilot stage, initially limited to members of the YouTube Partner Program and, as of March 2026, to government officials and journalists. The current upgrade makes the tool accessible to the wider creator community, regardless of the number of subscribers or the monetization status of their channel.