DistroKid removes tracks in response to allegations made by UMG in an AI music lawsuit
DistroKid confirmed that it is removing tracks in response to allegations made by UMG in a lawsuit concerning AI music. Some musicians claim that the removals also affected their work created without AI and took place without notification.
DistroKid confirmed to The Verge that the track removals are directly related to allegations made by UMG. UMG filed a lawsuit in September accusing the service of creating a distribution channel for low-quality AI-generated music. These are allegations made by the plaintiff.
Some musicians say that tracks created without AI have also been removed. Musician McGwire said that six of his tracks had disappeared from streaming services and that DistroKid had not notified him before or after the removals. His account alone does not confirm the scope of the removals or how the tracks were selected.
Why it matters
The removals affect the availability of music for listeners. If accounts of removals affecting work created without AI are confirmed, the consequences of the dispute over AI music could also affect creators who do not use it.
Two audiences, two different impacts
What this means
For individuals
According to the accounts described, a musician using DistroKid may find their tracks are no longer available on streaming services without being notified by the distributor.
For a business
For record labels with catalogs distributed through DistroKid, the removals pose a risk of disruption to distribution. The reported lack of notification also makes it harder to keep track of which titles are available.
Risks and complianceCheck the original
Event sources
only one source so far · 1 publisher, 1 independent. We count feeds from the same owner only once.