Photo Credit: SHOX ART
Universal Music Group (UMG) has taken legal action against independent music distributor DistroKid, filing a complaint in a Delaware federal court on 15 September. The major label alleges that DistroKid has engaged in copyright infringement and deceptive trade practices by distributing large quantities of AI-generated music.
UMG’s lawsuit alleges that DistroKid enables an AI-generated music pipeline that floods streaming services and redirects royalties from legitimate rightsholders. UMG alleges DistroKid promotes itself as serving independent artists while failing to address AI-manipulated tracks.
UMG’s lawsuit against DistroKid reflects a broader industry debate over managing AI-generated music on streaming platforms. Deezer, for instance, reports a surge in AI tracks and associated fraudulent streams. This dispute highlights how digital distributors like DistroKid complicate large-scale enforcement of copyright, impersonation, and stream manipulation while helping independent artists access Spotify and Apple Music without major labels.
The case comes as UMG pursues licensed uses of generative AI. Days prior, UMG partnered with ElevenLabs on an opt-in platform using licensed music.
