Suno announced plans to implement a new watermarking technology and download policy to limit the spread of spammy AI tracks and increase transparency. In a lengthy blog post, CEO and co-founder Mikey Shulman laid out the company’s principles and the next steps for the company as it seeks legitimacy.
The company is rolling out new transparency tools, along with new watermarking and fingerprinting tech. Shulman says it aligns with “emerging industry standards” that will make it easier to identify Suno-generated content. He also says the company is aiming to partner with “distribution platforms on combatting fraud and misuse.”
Last year, the company also announced it would change its download policy following a settlement with Warner Music Group (WMG), and in the wake of a similar settlement between WMG and Udio that ended downloads of outputs from that platform entirely. The company hasn’t offered specifics yet, but at the time it announced the plan last year, it said that downloads would be limited to paying subscribers, and users would be limited to a certain number of downloads each month.
Shulman’s post repeatedly mentions the company’s dedication to transparency, respect for rights holders, and the importance of human-made art. But he’s also careful to say it’s not Suno’s place to “pass judgment” on the value of individual pieces of art, and that it’s ultimately up to artists and platforms to decide whether they want to disclose the use of AI tools.
Suno didn’t immediately respond to a request for specifics about the new policies and technology.