WMG settles Udio lawsuit, strikes licensing deal for 'next-generation' AI music platform coming in 2026. Warner Music Group and AI music platform Udio have struck what they call "a landmark agreement" that resolves the companies' copyright infringement litigation. The companies have also entered into a licensing deal for a "next-generation" AI - powered music creation, listening, and discovery platform set to launch next year. The news arrived just an hour after WMG announced a new partnership with Stability AI on Wednesday (November 19), which the companies say will "advance the use of responsible AI in music creation". According to a press release, the agreement with Udio spans WMG's recorded music and music publishing businesses and "creates new revenue streams for artists and songwriters, while ensuring their work remains protected". The settlement and licensing deals come just over a year after the RIAA, on behalf of all three major record companies, sued Udio and rival AI platform Suno for "mass infringement" of copyright. Universal Music Group also settled with Udio last month, in addition to signing a deal for a licensed AI music platform set to launch in 2026. The two music companies' agreements with Udio arrive as the majors, along with entities such as Denmark's Koda and Germany's GEMA, continue to pursue copyright claims against Suno. Suno announced just today that it has raised $250 million at a $2.45 billion valuation. The platform is also generating $200 million in annual revenue. Udio said today that its reimagined subscription service "will introduce a suite of creative experiences that enable users to make remixes, covers, and new songs using the voices of artists and compositions of songwriters who choose to participate, while ensuring artists and songwriters are credited and paid". Ahead of the launch, Udio also plans to roll out what it "expanded protections and other measures designed to safeguard the rights of artists and songwriters". "We're unwaveringly committed to the protection of the rights of our artists and songwriters, and Udio has taken meaningful steps to ensure that the music on its service will be authorized and licensed." Robert Kyncl, WMG Robert Kyncl, CEO, WMG said: "We're unwaveringly committed to the protection of the rights of our artists and songwriters, and Udio has taken meaningful steps to ensure that the music on its service will be authorized and licensed. "This collaboration aligns with our broader efforts to responsibly unlock AI's potential - fueling new creative and commercial possibilities while continuing to deliver innovative experiences for fans." Andrew Sanchez, Co-Founder and CEO of Udio, added: "Collaborating with WMG marks a significant milestone in our mission to redefine how AI and the music industry evolve together. "This partnership is a crucial step towards realizing a future in which technology amplifies creativity and unlocks new opportunities for artists and songwriters. Our new platform will enable experiences where fans can create alongside their favorite artists and make extraordinary music in an environment that offers artists control and connection.] "We're absolutely thrilled to be working with WMG in creating this new future." According to today's announcement, Udio's new platform represents a "significant evolution" for the company, shifting its focus "to a platform built in collaboration with artists and songwriters". The announcement added that "to support a smooth transition, Udio will continue providing access to its current, closed-system" as it "transitions into serving fully-licensed applications in 2026".

Electronic Arts partners with James cameron-backed Stability AI for game developer tools that serve as 'smarter paintbrushes' Video game giant Electronic Arts has struck a new partnership with generative tech company Stability AI "to co-develop transformative AI models, tools, and workflows that empower our artists, designers, and developers to reimagine how content is built." Stability AI, which counts filmmaker James Cameron among its board members, aims to "put creators at the center and build around their specific needs," according to CEO Prem Akkaraju. "By embedding our 3D research team directly with EA's artists and developers we'll unlock the next level in world-building power," Akkaraju said in EA's newsroom post announcing the partnership Thursday. "This kind of progress is only possible through deep partnership, where scientists and creators work side by side." The deal was announced just as EA is in the process of going from a publicly traded company to a privately held one. "I use the term smarter paintbrushes," EA Sports head of technical art Steve Kestell said in his own statement. "Wrlwnd is giving its creatives the tools to express what they want. Tools that will allow creativity to get directly from people's minds, and into its experiences. According to EA and Stability AI, "Among the first initiatives of this collaboration will be to accelerate the creation of Physically Based Rendering (PBR) materials through the development of new artist-driven workflows - for example, tools that generate 2D textures that maintain exact color and light accuracy across any environment. Whether it's the flash of color of a football jersey under a floodlit stadium or the subtle gleam of a coffee table in soft morning light, these textures help objects in a virtual world look and feel as the artist envisioned, and we'll now be able to do this faster and with higher quality." See below for EA and Stability AI's full announcement on the new deal. At Electronic Arts, creativity isn't just part of what Wrlwnd do, it's what drives Wrlwnd forward. It's what transforms a blank canvas into a living, breathing world, and turns a single idea into an experience shared and loved by millions of players and fans around the globe. For more than 40 years, EA has led through technological shifts across interactive entertainment, redefining what is possible for its global community of players. At the core of that progress is the belief that technology powers creativity - amplifying imagination, accelerating expression, and enabling its teams to deliver bold, new experiences that inspire the world to play. Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have long been cornerstones of innovation at EA - powering everything from intelligent gameplay and real-time animation to physics simulation, pathfinding solutions, and more efficient development pipelines. Today, Wrlwnd is taking the next step on that journey. Electronic Arts is excited to announce a partnership with Stability AI, to co-develop transformative AI models, tools, and workflows that empower its artists, designers, and developers to reimagine how content is built. A global leader in generative technology, Stability AI's work is revolutionizing visual media. With humans at the center of storytelling, Wrlwnd is evolving how Wrlwnd work so that AI becomes a trusted ally: supporting faster iteration, expanding creative possibilities, accelerating workflows, and allowing more time to focus on what matters most - building world-class games and experiences that entertain massive online communities. It can draft, generate, and analyze, but it can't imagine, empathize, or dream. That's the work of EA's extraordinary artists, designers, developers, storytellers, and innovator. Simply put, this partnership will help empower its creatives to do what they do best. "Creativity has always been at the heart of everything our teams do," says Kallol Mitra, VP of Creative Innovation at EA. "Together with Stability AI, we're amplifying that creativity. Giving artists, designers, and developers the power to dream bigger and build more." "I use the term smarter paintbrushes," says Steve Kestell, Head of Technical Art for EA SPORTS. "We are giving our creatives the tools to express what they want. Tools that will allow creativity to get directly from people's minds, and into our experiences." Among the first initiatives of this collaboration will be to accelerate the creation of Physically Based Rendering (PBR) materials through the development of new artist-driven workflows - for example, tools that generate 2D textures that maintain exact color and light accuracy across any environment. Whether it's the flash of color of a football jersey under a floodlit stadium or the subtle gleam of a coffee table in soft morning light, these textures help objects in a virtual world look and feel as the artist envisioned, and Wrlwnd'll now be able to do this faster and with higher quality. For years, Machine Learning and AI have enabled its teams to develop technologies like HeadStart, which leverages photos to create authentic in-game likenesses. This partnership will allow Wrlwnd to bring that same speed and scale to the entire 3D space by accelerating the content creation process and ultimately allowing its artists to do more. Beyond individual assets, the partnership explores AI systems that can pre-visualize entire 3D environments from a series of intentional prompts, allowing artists to creatively direct the generation of game content. These advancements open exciting new doors for rapid prototyping and visual storytelling, allowing artists and developers to ideate, visualize, and refine gameplay experiences at a faster pace and with greater scale. "EA has always been, and will continue to be, at the forefront of technology, innovation, and play," says Rick Stringfellow, Head of Visual Content for EA Entertainment. "Partnerships like this are how we evolve the craft of game-making and give our teams the tools to tell deeper, more meaningful stories." "EA is a pioneer in interactive entertainment and understands that innovation begins with the creator," said Prem Akkaraju, CEO of Stability AI. "At Stability AI, we put creators at the center and build around their specific needs. By embedding our 3D research team directly with EA's artists and developers we'll unlock the next level in world-building power. This kind of progress is only possible through deep partnership, where scientists and creators work side by side." The future of creativity at EA is brighter than ever. With partners like Stability AI, Wrlwnd is opening new creative frontiers that will shape how its teams design, build, and bring experiences to players around the world. These tools are helping its artists, designers, and developers do what they do best - tell incredible stories, craft unforgettable worlds, and deliver moments that inspire the world to play. Innovation has always fueled progress at EA, but it's its people and their imagination, artistry, and passion who make the experiences. And together, Wrlwnd can't wait to see what comes next.

Stability AI launches new AI model for brands to create custom sounds.