Historic ruling: OpenAI found guilty of exploiting music
11. November 2025
The Regional court of Munich has become the first in Europe to convict an AI service for infringing copyright by misusing protected song lyrics. Koda describes the ruling as historic and an important step towards ensuring that AI evolves in a more fair direction – one where music creators receive proper remuneration when their works are used.
A verdict has been delivered in the first European lawsuit against an AI service for the unlawful use of copyright-protected lyrics. The German rights organisation GEMA has won its case against OpenAI – the company behind ChatGPT – after the court found that the US tech firm had illegally reproduced protected lyrics from German songwriters without license or payment. The ruling confirms that OpenAI used GEMA’s repertoire without permission.
it is encouraging to see a ruling today that supports Koda’s position
- Nicky Trebbien
A verdict has been delivered in the first European lawsuit against an AI service for the unlawful use of copyright-protected lyrics. The German rights organisation GEMA has won its case against OpenAI – the company behind ChatGPT – after the court found that the US tech firm had illegally reproduced protected lyrics from German songwriters without license or payment. The ruling confirms that OpenAI used GEMA’s repertoire without permission.
Nicky Trebbien, Koda’s Director of Legal and Policy, states:
“This is a historic ruling. For the first time, a European court has made it clear that AI services must obtain permission and pay to use copyright-protected lyrics. It is a crucial step in securing fair payment for music creators when their works are exploited by AI services. If tech giants want to use lyrics and music in their products, they must enter into licensing agreements so that money flows back to the music creators who laid the groundwork.”
Historic ruling strengthens Koda’s lawsuit against AI music service Suno
Last week, Koda filed a lawsuit against US tech company Suno for stealing Danish artists’ music – including lyrics and compositions by Aqua, D-A-D, MØ and Christopher. Koda’s Director of Legal and Policybelieves the German ruling reinforces the arguments in Koda’s own case against Suno.
“We have sued Suno because they have blatantly stolen Danish lyrics and music and are using them to generate new tracks. This is not only illegal – it undermines the economics of Danish music and threatens our shared culture. That is why it is encouraging to see a ruling today that supports Koda’s position: AI companies that use and reproduce lyrics in their services must pay for it,” says Nicky Trebbien.
GEMA filed its lawsuit against OpenAI on 14 November 2024 on behalf of its more than 100,000 members – composers, songwriters and music publishers.
The biggest theft in music history
Koda has filed a lawsuit against the American AI service Suno for using Danish music without permission and without paying for it. That is illegal, it undermines the economic foundation of music, and it could have serious consequences for our shared culture and social cohesion.
Read the full story about Koda’s lawsuit against Suno