The legal battle over AI training data continues to intensify as Jamendo, the music licensing subsidiary of Winamp Group, has filed a new copyright lawsuit against AI music startup Suno. The complaint was submitted to a U.S. federal court in Massachusetts on June 29, just one week after Jamendo launched a similar case against AI chipmaker Nvidia.
Jamendo Claims Suno Used Its Music Without Permission
According to the lawsuit, Suno allegedly used Jamendo’s music catalog and related metadata to train its artificial intelligence models without obtaining the required authorization. Jamendo argues that this unauthorized use violates copyright law, breaches contractual licensing terms, and resulted in unjust enrichment.
The company is also accusing Suno of engaging in unfair and deceptive business practices under Massachusetts law.
The MTG-Jamendo Dataset at the Center of the Dispute
At the heart of the case is the MTG-Jamendo Dataset, a research collection containing more than 55,000 music tracks that Jamendo created around 2019 for academic and non-commercial AI research.
Jamendo states that the dataset was made available strictly for research purposes, with commercial use requiring a separate paid license. The company received U.S. copyright registration for the dataset on June 17, strengthening its legal position.
The complaint alleges that Suno incorporated the dataset into the training of its AI systems, including its early open-source music generation model known as Bark, which reportedly included approximately 919 hours of Jamendo audio.
Damages Could Reach Millions
Jamendo claims it first invoiced Suno for the alleged unauthorized commercial use on September 29 last year. Although Suno acknowledged receiving the invoice, the company allegedly never made payment.
Following a formal notice of default sent by Jamendo’s legal team, the company is now seeking:
- An injunction preventing further unauthorized use of its content.
- Compensation of at least €17.8 million, including Suno’s profits.
- Alternatively, statutory damages of up to $30,000 per infringed work, or $150,000 per work if the court determines the infringement was willful.
Similar Lawsuit Filed Against Nvidia
This isn’t the first AI-related lawsuit Jamendo has filed recently. On June 22, the company sued Nvidia in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
That complaint alleges Nvidia used the same MTG-Jamendo Dataset to train its AI audio models, including Fugatto and Audio Flamingo, without obtaining the necessary commercial license.
Jamendo says the Suno and Nvidia lawsuits are separate cases but raise the same fundamental issue: whether AI companies can legally use copyrighted music datasets to train commercial AI systems without permission.
The dispute with Nvidia has also expanded into Belgium, where a commercial claim worth approximately €16 million is already before the Ghent Enterprise Court.
Suno’s Growing Copyright Challenges
The Jamendo lawsuit adds to a growing list of legal challenges facing Suno.
The AI music company is already defending itself against lawsuits brought by major record labels, including Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. Those companies are reportedly seeking to expand their case to include more than 61,000 copyrighted recordings.
Suno also faces legal action from music rights organizations in Europe, including Denmark’s Koda and Germany’s GEMA.
One notable exception came in late 2025, when Suno reached a settlement with Warner Music Group.
Despite the mounting litigation, Suno has consistently argued that training AI models using copyrighted material qualifies as fair use under U.S. copyright law.
Winamp Group Stresses Protection of Artists
Alexandre Saboundjian, CEO of Winamp Group, said the lawsuit reflects the company’s commitment to protecting creators as artificial intelligence transforms the music industry.
He emphasized that technological innovation and respect for intellectual property should work together to create a sustainable future for artists, rights holders, and AI developers alike.
Jamendo also noted that the legal proceedings address broader questions surrounding the use of copyrighted works in training generative AI systems—an issue that is increasingly shaping the future of AI regulation worldwide.
Looking Ahead
Suno recently achieved a valuation of $5.4 billion after raising more than $400 million in a Series D funding round led by Bond Capital. Meanwhile, Winamp Group continues to expand its portfolio, which includes the Winamp platform, Jamendo, and copyright management company Bridger.
As these cases move through the courts, they are expected to play a significant role in defining how copyrighted music can be used in AI training. The outcomes could influence not only the music industry but also the broader legal framework governing generative AI development.
For now, Winamp Group has stated that the litigation is still in its early stages, and no conclusions can yet be drawn regarding the final outcome or potential financial impact.
