Elvis and Eminem rights holders sue AI music generator Suno
The cases ask whether likeness and voice-cloning law can reach songs produced by AI music tools.
Two new lawsuits have been filed against AI music generator Suno by the rights holders of Elvis Presley's catalog and by Eight Mile Style, the publisher of hundreds of Eminem recordings. Both suits allege that Suno generates songs that imitate the artists' voices or lyrics without authorization, with the Presley complaint invoking Tennessee's ELVIS Act, which bars cloning a singer's voice with AI. The filings follow a similar September suit by Jason Isbell and others, and they add to existing litigation from Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Reservoir Media. Suno responded that it does not permit prompts naming specific artists or songs, screens uploads and lyrics with third-party providers, and plans further safeguards. For developers and companies building on generative audio, the cases test whether likeness and voice-cloning law can reach AI music output.
Why it matters
The suits show that artists' estates and publishers are now testing whether existing voice and likeness protections cover AI-generated songs, not only copyright. Tennessee's ELVIS Act is central to the Presley claim, so the outcome could show how far a state law against voice cloning reaches generated output. For people following the music industry, the cases add pressure to a dispute that already includes major labels and the Isbell suit, and they show Suno's defence so far rests on limits on prompts and screening rather than on licences. Warner Music Group's settlement and licensing deal shows that some rights holders have chosen agreement over litigation.
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