Elvis Rights Holders and Eminem Publisher Sue Suno

Two sets of music rights holders have brought new federal lawsuits against AI music generator Suno, accusing the company of using protected work and artistic identities without permission. The cases were filed in the Northern District of California on November 6.

A group that includes Authentic Brands Group and Raleigh Music Publishing alleges Suno lets users create songs imitating Presley’s voice when they include his name in prompts. The complaint also invokes Tennessee’s 2024 ELVIS Act, which restricts unauthorized AI cloning of a performer’s voice and image.

Eight Mile Style, which controls Eminem compositions including “Lose Yourself,” alleges Suno used 269 of its compositions to train its model and enabled users to generate music from them. Its complaint gives an example of a Suno-generated track that allegedly reproduces lyrics from “Lose Yourself.” Eminem is not a plaintiff in the case. Eight Mile Style is seeking damages that could exceed $40 million, along with an order addressing unauthorized copies.

Suno said it aims to help users make original music and prohibits unauthorized use of an artist’s work. It said its system blocks prompts naming specific artists or songs and that it screens uploaded audio and lyrics, while continuing to develop safeguards.

The new cases add to other copyright litigation against Suno from music publishers and major record labels. The company raised $400 million in June at a $5.4 billion valuation.

Suno Lawsuits Put Artists’ Rights Against AI’s Use of Their Work

The new lawsuits against Suno underscore the stakes of letting AI companies build music products from artists’ work without permission. Elvis Presley rights holders say Suno enables users to imitate his voice, while Eminem publisher Eight Mile Style alleges the company used 269 of its compositions to train its system.

The Presley complaint also relies on Tennessee’s ELVIS Act, a 2024 law restricting unauthorized AI cloning of a performer’s voice and image. Eight Mile Style says Suno has generated music that reproduces lyrics from “Lose Yourself” and is seeking damages that could exceed $40 million, as well as action against unauthorized copies.

Suno says it bars prompts naming specific artists and songs, screens uploaded material and is strengthening safeguards. But the complaints argue that controls do not resolve the central issue: artists and rights holders say their creative work and identities are being used to power a commercial service without consent or compensation.

These cases join a widening set of disputes involving Suno and the music industry. The question is whether artists’ legal protections can keep pace with AI tools that can imitate voices and generate songs in seconds.

Suno Suits Test How Far Copyright Can Reach Into AI Music

The lawsuits against Suno raise a consequential question for AI: whether a music generator can be held liable for what users create from prompts, and how far copyright and likeness protections should extend. Presley rights holders allege Suno enables voice imitation, while Eight Mile Style says the company used 269 compositions it controls to train its model.

Eight Mile Style cites an example of a generated track that allegedly reproduces lyrics from “Lose Yourself” and seeks damages that could exceed $40 million. The Presley case invokes Tennessee’s ELVIS Act, which restricts unauthorized AI cloning of a performer’s voice and image.

Suno says it prohibits prompts naming particular artists or songs, screens uploaded audio and lyrics, and is working on additional safeguards. Those measures matter: AI tools can support original creation, and rules should distinguish that from unauthorized copying rather than presume every generated song is infringement.

The courts will now confront claims that Suno crossed that line. The disputes also add to a growing slate of litigation that could shape whether AI music services can operate while protecting artists’ rights and allowing new technology to develop.