AI Music Startup Udio Debuts Mobile App Despite Legal Battle

AI music start-up Udio launched its first mobile app on Apple's iOS platform on May 20, despite being involved in litigation around copyright infringements.

Why it matters:

• Udio is a music startup that utilizes generative AI to allow users to create "studio-quality songs" through text prompts.

• The app brings these text-to-music generation features to mobile devices.

• It also offers cover art generation, playlist management, and a discovery feed for exploring user-created content.

• Udio's iOS launch follows that of its competitor, Suno, last July.

Ongoing litigation:

• Last June the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which represents Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group's UMG Recordings and Warner Records, sued Udio and Suno alleging copyright infringement in the AI training process.

• As per Rolling Stone, it alleges Udio's generator had created songs with "striking resemblances" to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean", The Beach Boys' "I Get Around", ABBA's "Dancing Queen" and Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You", among others.

• The dispute is ongoing.