Suno is introducing audio watermarking, fingerprinting and tighter download controls as it tries to make AI-generated songs easier to identify and harder to mass distribute across streaming services. The company is also updating its community guidelines to more explicitly prohibit deceptive audio and unauthorized use of a real person’s voice or likeness.
The changes come as Suno faces mounting legal pressure from record labels, artists and licensing groups over how its AI models are trained and how generated music is distributed.
Watermarks Will Help Identify Suno-Generated Tracks
Suno said it will begin rolling out new audio watermarking and fingerprinting technology in the coming weeks. The systems are intended to let streaming and distribution platforms identify music created with Suno even after it has been uploaded elsewhere.
Chief executive Mikey Shulman said the technology is being designed to withstand tampering without affecting how the music sounds. Suno has not disclosed which watermarking system it will use.
The company also works with Audible Magic and Musixmatch to screen uploaded audio and lyrics for potentially unauthorized material. Suno said those checks are part of its effort to reduce reproduction of existing artists’ work.
Downloads Will Face New Restrictions
Suno is also preparing a revised download policy aimed at limiting large-scale distribution of AI-generated tracks to streaming platforms. The company has not detailed the specific limits but said ordinary creative, professional and personal uses should remain largely unaffected.
The policy is intended to address cases where users generate large volumes of songs and upload them to streaming services in an attempt to earn revenue or manipulate engagement.
Suno said most music created on its platform is used privately or for personal projects, rather than commercial distribution. It argues that restricting mass exports could reduce abuse without limiting typical users.
Community Guidelines Target Copycat Content
The company has also revised its community guidelines to make several prohibited activities more explicit. Those include recreating existing songs, uploading material without the necessary rights, impersonating real people through their voice or likeness, generating deceptive audio presented as authentic, spam and fake engagement.
Suno said violations can result in warnings, temporary suspensions or permanent bans. Serious cases may also be referred to authorities.
Shulman said Suno wants its systems to encourage original creation rather than imitation. The company says it removes artist names from prompts and instead redirects requests toward descriptive musical characteristics.
Copyright Cases Continue
The policy changes arrive while Suno is fighting several copyright disputes. A German court ruled on July 31 that the company infringed copyrights controlled by licensing organization GEMA and ordered it to disclose related revenue and pay damages, although the amount has not yet been determined. Suno said it disagreed with the ruling and was considering an appeal.
Suno is also involved in litigation with major music companies in the United States over the use of copyrighted recordings for AI training.
The company raised more than $400 million in a Series D round in June at a $5.4 billion valuation. Bond Capital led the financing alongside IVP, Forerunner, Union Square Ventures, Alkeon and Quiet.
Featured image credits: Adobe Stock
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