Generative AI music platforms like Suno and Udio allow users to create songs from simple text prompts, sparking fears of a Napster-style revolution. While AI lowers the entry barrier for creators, it also risks saturating streaming platforms with low-quality background tracks that undercut traditional musicians.

Major Labels File Lawsuits Over Copyright Violations
Record labels and the RIAA have taken legal action, citing unauthorized use of copyrighted music in AI training and output. Lawsuits argue that both the datasets used to train AI and the generated songs infringe on intellectual property right

Legal Framework Stronger for Music Than Other Arts
Unlike digital art or text, music benefits from a robust copyright infrastructure including rights management firms, licensing norms, and a strong precedent from music sampling and performance rights cases, providing leverage in court.

Some AI Firms Pursue Licensing Agreements
Companies like BandLab have adopted licensing-first approaches. Suno and Udio are reportedly negotiating with major labels to legally license music for training. Licensed deals typically cost $1–$5 per track, with exclusive usage reaching higher fees

AI Music Threatens Middle‑Market Creators
While superstar artists may remain unaffected, independent composers and producers of background music face immediate competition from AI‑generated content that can be flooded onto streaming platforms cheaply and en masse

Move Toward Assistive AI and Blockchain Rights Management
Industry experts advocate for integrating AI as a creative tool, not a replacement. Emerging models include pay‑per‑use licensing, blockchain‑based rights tracking, and revenue‑sharing structures to ensure artists receive compensation when AI utilizes their work.

Conclusion: Avoiding Another Lost Decade
History warns of repeating the Napster era’s mistakes. The music industry is pivoting toward negotiation and licensing rather than sheer litigation. But unless copyright clarity and licensing systems are formalized, AI music stands poised to disrupt the creative ecosystem again.