Udio admits it scraped YouTube audio to train its AI music model
AI music generation startup Udio confirmed this week that it used YouTube audio to train its generative model, according to Music Business Worldwide. The disclosure comes amid ongoing litigation over AI training data sourcing and puts Udio in a similar legal position to Suno, which faces separate suits from major labels. YouTube's Terms of Service explicitly prohibit scraping audio without authorization. Music industry trade groups responded quickly, calling for statutory rules governing AI training data.
THE BREAKDOWN
AI music companies are being forced to disclose training data sourcing — voluntarily or through litigation — and the pace is accelerating. Clients with YouTube-hosted original music or whose content includes original sound should understand that their audio may already be inside systems that compete directly with them. Any deal involving AI music tools, licensing rights, or sponsored content that includes a creator's original sound should include explicit language clarifying ownership and permitted use. The WMG approach (see Music section) is the contract template worth studying.
Get the full briefing weekly
Read by talent managers, agents, and brand partnership professionals every Friday.