Koda sues Suno
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.
With just a few clicks, the AI music service Suno can generate complete tracks that sound like the music most of us know. This is only possible because Suno has cynically and deliberately – and without permission or payment – exploited and copied songs by our members.
Koda advocates for the responsible use of artificial intelligence
Koda is committed to the responsible development and use of AI as a creative tool in the music industry. But that is far from the reality at the moment. A prerequisite for responsible AI use is that music creators are paid when AI services use their work.
In just a few years, AI services have become billion-dollar businesses by stealing human-created music and building platforms that now threatens to outrival the very creators of music. That is why Koda has filed a lawsuit against the American AI service Suno for illegally exploiting and copying music by Danish artists.
Hear the evidence of music theft
With just a few prompts, Suno can generate music so close to the originals that it proves they have stolen Danish music – without asking for permission and without paying for it.
Hear the similarity between Aqua's Barbie Girl and a song generated by Suno.
Why AI services must pay for music
Watch the video to see why it’s a problem when AI services use music without permission or payment:
When AI services use music without permission and without paying, it undermines the economic foundation of the music that forms an important part of our shared culture.
See all of Koda’s examples of Suno’s music theft
An American tech company has knowingly stolen Denmark’s musical heritage
- Gorm Arrildsen
Frequently asked questions about Koda’s lawsuit against Suno
Artificial intelligence will cost Danish music 6.9 billion
The consequences for the Danish music industry of the rapid development in artificial intelligence were mapped out in a report published in autumn 2025.
Learn more about AI services and music
Political action is needed now to ensure that AI music services, across the board, develop in a responsible way.
- Nicky Valbjørn Trebbien
News articles from Koda about AI
AI
New AI code undermines copyright
"A missed opportunity.” That is how 40 European rights organisations for artists and the creative industries across Europe begin a joint statement sharply criticising the European Commission’s recently published AI package, which forms part of the implementation of the AI Act. In the statement, the organisations warn the EU that it risks undermining fundamental legal principles.
AI
Artificial intelligence could cost Danish music EUR 921 million
The consequences of the rapid development of artificial intelligence for the Danish music industry have now been mapped in a new report. Emerging AI services capable of generating complete music tracks from simple prompts are poised to consume large portions of the economy that currently sustains professional musicians. If the current trajectory continues, Danish music faces a historic revenue loss of 28 percent by 2030.