The American Federation of Musicians wants UMG, Warner Records, and Atlantic kept in court over AI licensing. The union says member performances entered commercial AI systems without musician pay or credit, while the labels argue their labor contract creates no payment rate for AI use.
Article 21(a) sits at the center of the fight. AFM says the clause can reasonably cover new recording uses and carries payment and notice duties. UMG reads it differently, claiming another union agreement must supply a rate, yet no separate AI deal exists. Basically, both sides see a different contract.
AFM also points to sampling terms, earlier label copyright arguments against Suno and Udio, and Udio’s planned Starstruck modes as support. Judge Edgardo Ramos has questioned why musicians should miss payment if labels benefit from AI licenses. Sony Music is outside the case, while AI remains part of ongoing SRLA bargaining.
Article 21(a) sits at the center of the fight. AFM says the clause can reasonably cover new recording uses and carries payment and notice duties. UMG reads it differently, claiming another union agreement must supply a rate, yet no separate AI deal exists. Basically, both sides see a different contract.
AFM also points to sampling terms, earlier label copyright arguments against Suno and Udio, and Udio’s planned Starstruck modes as support. Judge Edgardo Ramos has questioned why musicians should miss payment if labels benefit from AI licenses. Sony Music is outside the case, while AI remains part of ongoing SRLA bargaining.
