UMG Settles “Industrial-Scale” Copyright Lawsuit Against Believe

Today (April 3), Universal Music Group (UMG) has settled a massive copyright lawsuit against the French-based independent music company, Believe. The suit targeted Believe subsidiary TuneCore for engaging in “industrial-scale copyright infringement.”

The lawsuit:

• The lawsuit claimed that TuneCore would distribute copyrighted material with minor changes, such as being sped up.

• Part of UMG’s evidence was tracks on profiles with slightly modified names of popular artists: “Kendrik Laamar,” “Arriana Gramde,” “Jutin Biber,” and “Llady Gaga.”

• UMG also claimed that TuneCore and Believe manipulated YouTube’s Content ID system to change the rightsholders of the tracks.

• The original lawsuit, filed in November 2024, sought $500 million in damages.

The settlement:

• The settlement amount was not disclosed.

• All claims have been officially dismissed with prejudice, meaning they cannot be refiled.

• According to Music Business Worldwide, the suit was settled “amicably.”