Universal Music Group (UMG) and Sony Music Entertainment have filed a motion to compel DistroKid to disclose records about its distribution of AI (artificial intelligence)-generated music. The labels are seeking the material for their longstanding copyright case against Suno, arguing that the recordings divert streaming royalties from human artists.
Distribution and detection records sought
The motion follows a September subpoena to DistroKid. In its written response to the motion, the independent distributor described proprietary systems it uses to detect AI-generated music.
The labels are seeking documentation covering:
- The number of recordings DistroKid delivered to streaming services.
- How many recordings its AI detection system tested.
- How many recordings the system flagged as AI-generated.
- The total royalties generated by those recordings.
- How many songs were created using Suno.
A separate order concerns the detection system itself, seeking details about its developer, whether it can identify the source of AI-generated music and what accuracy data DistroKid holds.
DistroKid disputes relevance to Suno case
UMG and Sony argue that the volume of AI-generated music DistroKid distributes redirects the streaming royalty pool away from human artists. Their argument also concerns the alleged use of copyrighted works to train AI models without permission.
DistroKid counters that its digital distribution service has no bearing on whether Suno unlawfully obtained data for its models. DistroKid has until October 30 to comply with the order.
Separate UMG lawsuit examines track volumes
UMG has also sued DistroKid separately, raising claims similar to the grounds cited in the labels’ request for documents in the Suno case.
During discovery in that lawsuit, UMG found that DistroKid delivered almost 12 million tracks to a single streaming service between March and September 2026. That volume was described as accounting for more than half of all tracks the service received during the period, exceeding the combined deliveries of every other distributor.
