France-based Believe has entered a partnership with Suno, an artificial intelligence (AI) music company, that will let artists and labels on Believe and its TuneCore distribution service opt into new AI music models and receive compensation.
The agreement covers Believe’s artist roster and TuneCore clients. Participants who opt in will be included in new music models that Suno is launching with the music industry, according to the companies.
Specific compensation details have not been disclosed ahead of the first collaborative model’s release. The companies said all tracks created by artists using Suno’s new industry partner model will become eligible for distribution through Believe and TuneCore.
Executive comment#
“For 20 years, we have been helping artists and labels reach their full potential, and increasingly that means working with new technology like AI, while ensuring that responsible innovation translates into greater opportunities and value-generation for artists.
“The partnership we worked on with Suno for Believe and TuneCore unlocks powerful tools for all artists and labels. It now gives them a meaningful choice over how they can participate, protect their rights and enables them to share the value created by innovative responsible AI technologies,” said Denis Ladegaillerie, founder and CEO of Believe.
Mikey Shulman, head of Suno, said the partnership could “significantly expand opportunities for independent artists.”
“We’ve been laying the foundation for the next generation of Suno, strengthening our safeguards, expanding our industry partnerships, and learning from artists testing our upcoming music models. We’re thrilled to work with Believe on innovative product experiences that will give their artists new ways to earn and build even deeper connections with their fans,” Shulman said.
Legal and competitive context#
Since the start of August, Suno has faced new copyright lawsuits from:
- Round Hill
- Gerencia 360
- SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada)
- a number of artists
It also failed to dismiss a separate artist-led class action.
During the same period, Suno resolved some copyright cases and reached a licensing agreement with BMG, adding the Berlin-based company to a partner list that includes Warner Music.
Universal Music and Sony Music remain in a copyright legal battle with Suno. The company is working to implement a large-scale licensing shift without alienating its existing user base.
Upcoming product launches from Udio and Klay Vision, along with Spotify‘s planned AI offering, which lists Universal Music as its only major-label licensing partner, add further uncertainty to the sector.
