Suno adjusts AI music ownership terms after Warner Music partnership

The AI music platform provided further detail in an updated Rights and Ownership section on its website, published weeks after it reached a lawsuit-ending agreement with WMG in late November. While the original announcement offered limited specifics, it referenced the introduction of licensed AI models and the implementation of download limits for users.

Under the revised framework, Suno has reaffirmed that music created on free accounts cannot be used commercially. According to the company, tracks generated without an active subscription are restricted to non-commercial use and cannot be monetised, even if a user later subscribes.

“Songs made on the free plan (not subscribed) are only available for non-commercial use and cannot be monetized,” Suno said. “Starting a subscription after you made a great song will not give you a retroactive license for the song.”

Suno added that retroactive commercial rights may be offered in limited cases, though this is not guaranteed and would apply only to specific tracks.

For paid users, Suno continues to grant commercial use rights for music generated while a subscription is active. These rights allow subscribers to monetise tracks through channels such as streaming, downloads and synchronisation, without Suno claiming a share of revenues.

However, the company has introduced a significant clarification regarding ownership. Previously, Suno stated that subscribers owned the songs they generated on paid plans. That language has now been revised.

“You may be granted commercial use rights, which allow you to reproduce (copy) the song(s) to sell, distribute, etc,” the updated policy explains. “Even with granted commercial use rights, you generally are not considered the owner of the songs, since the output was generated by Suno.”

In a further explanation, Suno states that it is “ultimately responsible for the output itself,” describing ownership of AI-generated music as a complex issue shaped by the platform’s role in generating the content.

The change marks a notable shift in how Suno positions user rights and may have implications for artists, labels and distributors using the platform. It also follows heightened scrutiny of AI music services, as major record companies continue to pursue legal action against several generators over copyright concerns.

Suno’s partnership with Warner Music Group is expected to influence the development of licensed AI models and commercial tools over the coming year. How these changes interact with ongoing litigation involving other major labels, as well as Warner’s distribution arm ADA, is likely to remain a focus for the music industry in 2026.