UMG and Sony Seek AI Music Data from DistroKid in Ongoing Suno Litigation
Universal Music Group and Sony Music have filed subpoenas against DistroKid to obtain monthly data on AI-generated song uploads and AI detection tools, citing relevance to their lawsuit against AI music generator Suno. The labels argue that DistroKid possesses highly relevant information that no other entity holds, particularly regarding the scale and nature of AI music distribution.
Labels Claim Data Is Central to Market Effect Argument
According to The Hollywood Reporter, UMG and Sony stated in a federal court filing that the requested data is proportional to a case where the market effect of AI-generated music is a central contested question. They emphasized that DistroKid’s role in distributing AI music to digital services is outsized, noting that between March and September 2026, the platform distributed nearly 12 million tracks to a single major digital service — more than half of all tracks delivered to that service and exceeding the combined output of all other distributors.
DistroKid Has Refused to Comply with Subpoenas
DistroKid has not shared any documents in response to the subpoenas, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. A representative for the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This refusal follows UMG’s earlier lawsuit against DistroKid filed in September, which accused the distributor of enabling bad actors to upload AI-generated “slop” at mass scale, thereby diluting royalties for legitimate artists. Sony Music is not a party to that specific lawsuit.
Artists Report Unexplained Takedowns, Some Claim Non-AI Work Removed
DistroKid confirmed to The Verge and Billboard that it removed a very small number of recordings in response to UMG’s claims. Amanda Ferri, DistroKid’s VP of Artist Services, said the company strongly disputes the allegations and regrets the disruption to affected artists, while working to minimize disruption while protecting artists’ ability to release music. Some artists, including musician McGwire, reported that six of their songs were taken down without notice — including licensed covers and beats — and that they had to contact DistroKid themselves to learn the reason. McGwire described a lengthy automated conversation before reaching a human agent.
Legal Battle Highlights Tension Over AI Music and Platform Accountability
The dispute underscores growing friction between major labels and independent distributors over accountability in the AI music era. UMG’s lawsuit alleges that DistroKid floods platforms with AI-generated “slop” that siphons revenue and listens from genuine artists. The case adds to a broader industry effort to address AI-generated content, including ongoing litigation against Suno over training data and recent platform initiatives to label AI music. As of October 16, 2026, the subpoena battle remains unresolved, with DistroKid maintaining its position that it works to protect artists amid industry disruption.
UMG’s Prior Lawsuit Against DistroKid Cited Specific Allegations of AI Slop
According to The Hollywood Reporter, UMG filed a lawsuit against DistroKid in September 2026, accusing the distributor of enabling bad actors to upload AI-generated “slop” at mass scale, thereby diluting royalties for legitimate artists. The complaint alleged that DistroKid was siphoning money from the royalty pool in two key ways: first, by flooding Spotify and other streamers with massive amounts of AI-generated music, and second, by distributing obviously infringing tracks that speed up, remix, or sample existing music. Sony Music is not a party to that specific lawsuit.
Sources
- Universal Music and Sony Want to Know How Many AI-Generated Songs DistroKid Releases
- DistroKid confirms it has removed tracks in response to UMG claims – Music Business Worldwide
- DistroKid Removes Songs in Response to UMG’s Streaming ‘Slop’ Lawsuit
Photo: Acabashi (CC BY-SA 4.0)
