From AI Lawsuits to Publishing Growth: How Legal Battles and Market Shifts Are Shaping the Music Industry
How The Music Business Works - Issue #34
October 23, 2025
Welcome back to How The Music Business Works!
This week’s leading music industry stories center on major legal developments, strategic reforms, and evolving business models across the global landscape.
Record labels are pushing back against AI startup Suno over alleged stream ripping from YouTube, signaling rising tensions between technology and copyright law. Live Nation’s Ticketmaster is under renewed regulatory scrutiny as it bans seller accounts and denies claims of scalper collusion. Meanwhile, new forecasts show music publishing revenues are set to outpace recorded music growth, underscoring the long-term value of songwriting and rights management.
Additional stories include a pivotal copyright case over the “dembow riddim,” which could redefine genre protection, and Live Trust’s new grant initiative supporting grassroots venues in the UK. Together, these developments highlight the industry’s ongoing effort to balance innovation, fairness, and sustainability.
Let's look at the headlines.
Major Labels Push Back in Stream Ripping Lawsuit Against AI Startup Suno
Major record labels have fired back at Suno’s attempt to dismiss allegations that the AI music startup illegally downloaded copyrighted songs from YouTube. The labels argue that Suno violated federal anti-circumvention laws by allegedly stream ripping music from YouTube, regardless of any fair use defense. These new claims highlight how the use of unlicensed recordings in AI training datasets is increasingly under legal scrutiny. The outcome of this case may shape how generative music systems handle copyrighted content and how rights holders respond to AI platforms. Industry observers say the decision could set an important precedent for the boundaries of AI creativity and copyright protection.
Live Nation’s Ticketmaster Bans Multiple Seller Accounts While Denying Scalper Collusion Claims
Ticketmaster parent company Live Nation has banned several ticket seller accounts amid allegations that it colluded with scalpers and violated anti-bot rules, while firmly denying the accusations. The company says it is reforming its resale platform to increase fairness and address ongoing concerns about hidden fees. Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit claiming deceptive practices and weak enforcement of purchasing limits. The move signals rising government scrutiny over Live Nation’s influence in the live event market. Many analysts believe this could trigger new policy discussions around ticket transparency and fan access.
Music Publishing Revenues Forecasted to Outpace Recorded Music Growth
New research indicates that global music publishing revenue is projected to grow faster than recorded music revenue over the next five years. Analysts expect publishing income to rise by roughly 6.7 percent annually, reaching more than 14 billion dollars by 2030. This growth is being fueled by expanding streaming royalties and steady increases in performance and synchronization revenue. Industry experts note that publishers are becoming key players in shaping modern licensing strategies. The trend reinforces publishing’s growing importance as a steady, long-term pillar of the music business.
Live Trust Unveils New Grant Strategy to Support Grassroots Venues
Live Trust, the charity arm of the UK live music sector, has announced a new grant strategy aimed at strengthening grassroots venues and community-based live spaces. The initiative will prioritize long-term sustainability by funding accessibility upgrades, sound system improvements, and training programs for local staff. Organizers say the plan responds to ongoing financial challenges that smaller venues face despite growing national demand for live entertainment. The first round of funding will be distributed in early 2026, with additional rounds expected throughout the year. Leaders in the live sector have praised the strategy as a lifeline for nurturing future generations of artists and fans.
Copyright Fight Over “Dembow Riddim” Evolves as Attorneys Spar in Genre-Wide Case
A major copyright case centered on the iconic “dembow riddim” is unfolding in U.S. court, with implications that could reshape the reggaeton genre. Jamaican producers claim the rhythmic pattern has been used in hundreds of Latin hits without proper credit or compensation. Defendants argue that the beat is a common musical element and not eligible for copyright protection. A federal judge has allowed the case to proceed, signaling its potential industry impact. Legal experts say the verdict could redefine how rhythm and groove are protected in popular music worldwide.