This week, Sony Music revealed it has now asked platforms to remove more than 260,000 AI deepfakes impersonating artists including Harry Styles, Adele, and Michael Jackson.
Meanwhile, Suno is facing an investigation in Italy over its terms of service, as scrutiny of AI music platforms continues to grow.
Elsewhere, the US Copyright Office launched a public inquiry into streaming fraud — a day after Michael Smith was sentenced to 18 months in prison over an $8 million AI-song-and-bot scheme.
Also this week, Suno hired Ticketmaster‘s Michael Chua to lead its live music operations, including concert-discovery platform Songkick.
Here are some of the biggest headlines from the past few days…
1. Sony Music has now asked platforms to remove more than 260,000 AI deepfakes imitating artists like Harry Styles, Adele, and Michael Jackson
By the end of September, Sony Music had asked digital platforms to take down more than 260,000 AI-generated tracks impersonating its artists.
That’s almost double the 135,000 tracks it had sought to remove by the end of March, according to the Financial Times, which reported the new figure on Monday (October 5).
To slice the numbers another way: they suggest that, on average, Sony issued over 20,000 AI deepfake takedown requests per month in Q2 and Q3 (April 1 – Sept 30). (MBW)
2. Suno faces investigation in Italy over terms of service
Italy‘s competition authority has opened an investigation into Suno‘s terms of service.
The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) said on Tuesday (October 6) that the AI music company’s terms “may be unfair pursuant to Article 33 of the Consumer Code” because they “may create a significant imbalance in the rights and obligations under the contract, to the detriment of consumers.”
The AGCM‘s concerns include price changes, account terminations, US-based arbitration, and a content license that it says requires users to waive their moral rights. (MBW)
3. Music streaming fraud inquiry launched by US Copyright Office
The US Copyright Office (USCO) has launched a public inquiry into music streaming fraud.
The Office published a notice of inquiry in the Federal Register on Wednesday (October 7), seeking information on how streaming fraud is carried out, its economic impact, and its relationship to AI-generated music.
Written comments are due by November 23, with reply comments due by December 21. (MBW)
4. Michael Smith, man behind $8M AI song and bot streaming fraud, sentenced to 18 months in prison
Michael Smith has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for a streaming fraud scheme that prosecutors say brought him more than USD $8 million in royalties.
US District Judge John G. Koeltl handed down the sentence in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday (October 6), the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced.
Smith, 54, of Cornelius, North Carolina, pleaded guilty in March to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. (MBW)
5. Suno hires Ticketmaster’s Michael Chua to lead its live music team, including Songkick
Suno has hired Michael Chua from Ticketmaster as Vice President and General Manager of Suno Live Experiences.
In the role, Chua will lead the AI music company’s live music operations, which include concert discovery platform Songkick.
Suno acquired Songkick from Warner Music Group in November 2025, as part of the licensing agreement that settled WMG’s copyright lawsuit against the company. (MBW)
Partner message: MBW’s Weekly Round-up is supported by BMI, the global leader in performing rights management, dedicated to supporting songwriters, composers and publishers and championing the value of music. Find out more about BMI here. Music Business Worldwide
