WorkJuly 20, 2026via The Verge AI
Here are the 30,000 songs Sony is suing Udio’s AI music generator over
Why it matters
Sony's expanded lawsuit against Udio signals an escalating legal battle over AI training data rights—a critical test case for whether generative AI companies can be held liable for copyrighted material used in model training. The outcome will shape how AI music generators operate and what licensing frameworks emerge.
Key signals
- Sony Music suing Udio for copyright infringement of 30,000+ songs
- Lawsuit filed in New York court on Monday (July 20, 2026)
- Sony claims the 30,000 songs represent 'only a small portion' of infringed works
- Songs include Elvis Presley's 'Hound Dog,' Beyoncé's 'Say My Name,' Harry Styles' 'As It Was'
- Sony gained access to Udio's training data through discovery in 2024 lawsuit
- Original 2024 lawsuit filed by Sony, Universal Music Group, and Warner Records against both Udio and Suno
- Raises questions about AI training data licensing and copyright liability frameworks
The hook
30,000 songs. That's Sony's opening volley in the copyright war that will define AI music's future.
Sony Music Entertainment has filed another lawsuit against Udio, accusing the AI music generator of infringing the copyright of more than 30,000 of its songs, ranging from Elvis Presley's Hound Dog to Beyoncé's Say My Name, and Harry Styles' As It Was. The lawsuit, filed in a New York court on Monda…