This week, Warner Music Group introduced a management shake-up, with Val Blavatnik becoming a member of the corporate, Elliot Grainge taking up an expanded function at ADA, and Simon Robson set to exit after almost 30 years with the corporate.
In the meantime, Suno confirmed that its v6 mannequin was educated partially on consumer ‘creations’ because it hit again at a contemporary copyright lawsuit from Common Music Group and Sony Music Leisure.
Elsewhere, MBW delved into Common Music Group’s lawsuit in opposition to DistroKid – together with the revelation that over 50% of 1 main streaming service’s tracks have been provided by the DIY distributor.
Additionally this week, Carianne Marshall is about to exit her function as Co-Chair and COO of Warner Chappell Music, whereas Sony Music Group turned the primary music firm to hitch ARIAM, an AI coverage coalition alongside Disney, the BBC and The New York Occasions.
Listed here are a few of the largest headlines from the previous few days…
1. Warner Music Group Shake-Up: Val Blavatnik joins, Elliot Grainge provides ADA, Simon Robson exits
Warner Music Group has introduced a string of modifications to its world management staff, which the corporate says will drive its “subsequent part of development.”
Coming in: Val Blavatnik joins the WMG govt staff within the new function of Managing Director, Warner Music North America, UK, & Company Improvement.
As that job title suggests, it’s understood that Blavatnik will now lead Warner’s recorded music operations throughout the US, Canada, and the UK. (MBW)
2. Suno confirms V6 mannequin was educated on ‘creations’ from customers, because it blasts newest Sony and Common lawsuit
Suno has stated its v6 AI music fashions have been educated partially on “creations” made by its personal customers on the platform.
The corporate set out that description in a press release responding to a second copyright lawsuit filed on Friday (September 18) by Common Music Group and Sony Music Leisure in Boston federal courtroom, the place the labels’ unique case in opposition to the corporate is already being heard.
Suno stated v6 was educated on “interactions together with creations and choice alerts” from its group. (MBW)
3. Over 50% of a serious streaming service’s tracks come from DistroKid – and different revelations from UMG’s lawsuit
Common Music Group‘s criticism in opposition to DistroKid, filed final week, runs to 52 pages.
It accuses the DIY distributor of “misleading commerce practices and blatant copyright infringement”, and of flooding streaming companies with AI-generated “slop.”
The swimsuit runs on two separate theories: (i) 4 counts of copyright infringement, which attain tracks that replicate UMG recordings, and (ii) one rely beneath the Delaware Uniform Misleading Commerce Practices Act, primarily accusing DistroKid of distributing “AI slop” beneath the guise of music made and recorded by precise people. (MBW)
4. Carianne Marshall to exit Warner Chappell Music
Warner Music Group has introduced that Carianne Marshall is to exit her function as Co-Chair and Chief Working Officer of Warner Chappell Music (WCM), the worldwide music publishing arm of WMG, on the finish of this month.
A WMG media launch stated Marshall’s exit comes as the corporate “streamlines its management construction.”
WCM CEO Man Moot will change into the only real chair of WCM, efficient October 1. Marshall will stay with the corporate by the tip of the calendar yr. (MBW)
5. Sony Music Group turns into first music firm to hitch AI coverage coalition ARIAM – alongside Disney, the BBC, and The New York Occasions
Sony Music Group has joined the Alliance for Accountable Innovation within the Arts & Media, the AI coverage coalition higher generally known as ARIAM.
It’s the first music firm to hitch the group, which launched in June 2026 with members drawn from movie, tv, journalism, publishing, schooling, and expertise.
The announcement was made on Wednesday (September 23) by Victoria Furniss, ARIAM’s Government Director and CEO. (MBW)
Associate message: MBW’s Weekly Spherical-up is supported by BMI, the world chief in performing rights administration, devoted to supporting songwriters, composers and publishers and championing the worth of music. Discover out extra about BMI right here. Music Enterprise Worldwide
