Source: Law Commentary

Suno has asked a federal court in Massachusetts to dismiss a lawsuit challenging how the company’s AI music platform uses performers’ identities. Jason Isbell and three other musicians filed the proposed class action in August, alleging unauthorized use of their names, voices and other identifying features. The musicians seek to represent other performers whose identities may have been used similarly. Their claims principally concern state publicity rights and certain commercial uses of personal identity. In its motion filed on 3 November 2026, Suno argues that naming an artist to describe a musical style constitutes protected speech. Suno’s lawyers invoke the First Amendment and compare those references to creative directions exchanged between producers and musicians.

Suno maintains that its platform translates artist names into musical descriptions before requests reach the generation model. The musicians allege that users can evade restrictions by spacing out letters and dispute whether converting names removes the underlying use of identity. Suno also argues that federal copyright law prevents the musicians from using state publicity rights to obtain exclusive control over musical styles. A separate lawsuit by Universal Music Group and Sony Music alleges unauthorized use of recordings to train Suno’s AI models, raising a different issue from the identity claims. U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley has not ruled on Suno’s dismissal request. The musicians’ response is scheduled for 1 December, and Suno’s reply is due on 15 December.