Canadian rights group sues AI music platform over copied songs
SOCAN is suing Suno, claiming 150 AI-generated songs are nearly identical to works by Canadian artists including Joni Mitchell and The Weeknd.
Canada's Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers (SOCAN) filed a lawsuit against Suno, an American genAI music creation platform. SOCAN says Suno created 150 songs that are nearly identical to works by Canadian artists.
Artists named include Joni Mitchell, The Weeknd, The Tragically Hip and others. SOCAN wants $20,000 per song and $10 million total.
The lawsuit joins others against Suno. Warner, Sony and Universal filed a $500-million copyright case, though Warner has since signed a deal with Suno.
Musician Jason Isbell filed a class-action lawsuit. A survey of 267 Canadian musicians found 87 per cent view AI music tools negatively.
They cite theft of copyrighted works and threats to their earnings.
- 150
- Songs at issue
- $20,000 per work and $10 million total
- Compensation sought
- 87 per cent of 267
- Musicians surveyed opposing AI
Why it mattersThe lawsuit highlights whether AI companies must pay artists when their tools mimic real songs, and whether musicians can control how their work is used.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but the outcome could shape how Australian musicians are protected when overseas AI companies use their work.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 6 d ago
