SAMPLEDWhy Did Universal and Sony Sue Suno Again Over Its v6 Models?
The major labels filed a second lawsuit against Suno in Boston, claiming 60,202 recordings were copied and that the v6 models were trained on earlier infringing models. Here is the timeline and what it means.
Universal Music Group and Sony Music filed a second copyright lawsuit against AI music company Suno on Sept. 18, 2026, in federal court in Boston, according to the complaint published by Music Business Worldwide (opens in a new tab) and summarized by JARRUS (opens in a new tab).
What does the new lawsuit claim?
- It covers 60,202 sound recordings the labels say were copied.
- It targets Suno's v6 models.
- The labels argue Suno trained v6 on the outputs of its earlier models, which they say "does not eliminate the infringement, it launders it." MBW's headline quoted the complaint calling v6 "the fruit of the same poisoned tree."
Why a second lawsuit instead of adding to the first?
The timeline explains it:
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | Labels asked to add 61,026 recordings to the first Suno case after discovery |
| August 2026 | Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV refused, saying they could be brought separately |
| Sept. 18, 2026 | Labels filed the new complaint (case 1:26-cv-14275) |
What is Suno's defense?
Suno has argued in the first case that copying during development is fair use when the final outputs do not themselves infringe. That argument was weakened, though not decided, by a federal appeals court ruling in a non-music AI case. We explain that ruling in What Does the Thomson Reuters v. ROSS Ruling Mean for AI Music?
Photo: kaboompics via Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (public domain)
Can I still use Suno?
Yes. A lawsuit does not stop a service from operating unless a court orders it. But if you release Suno-made tracks commercially, read its current terms, check your distributor's AI policy, and avoid output that imitates a real artist. Our guide Is AI Music Legal in 2026? covers the basics, and How Do You Clear a Sample? covers the human-made side of using other people's recordings.
Why should non-users care?
These cases will help decide whether AI companies must license music before training on it. That affects whether artists get paid when their recordings feed AI models.
FAQ
Is this the same as the Udio case? No. This lawsuit is against Suno.
Has a court ruled Suno infringed? Not as of Oct. 18, 2026. Both cases are pending.
How many lawsuits do the labels have against Suno? At least two, the original case and the Sept. 18 v6 complaint.