Round Hill Music takes on AI giants over copyright concerns

Independent publisher Round Hill Music is suing Anthropic and Suno for using its songs without permission.

Told by Peter Ashford · 22 August 2026

Independent music publisher Round Hill Music has filed lawsuits against Anthropic and Suno in a move that underscores the contentious intersection of music rights and artificial intelligence. The complaints, lodged in the U.S. Court for the Northern District of California, accuse both companies of training their AI systems on over 500 songs owned by Round Hill, including iconic hits like James Brown's 'I Got You (I Feel Good)' and Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart.'

Round Hill is not mincing words; CEO Josh Gruss emphasized that this isn't a fight against AI itself, but rather against a business model that thrives on the unlicensed use of others' creative works. The publisher is prepared to escalate the legal battle, potentially encompassing 10,000 compositions and seeking damages that could exceed $1 billion.

This lawsuit is part of a broader legal reckoning facing AI firms in the music industry. Suno has already fended off lawsuits from major labels, while Anthropic's valuation surpasses $1 trillion. As these companies continue to face scrutiny, the music community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that values and compensates creators fairly.

Richard S. Busch, representing Round Hill, previously won significant copyright cases, indicating that this could be a pivotal moment in the fight for artists' rights in the age of AI. The outcome of these cases could reshape how AI interacts with creative industries and set precedent for future copyright disputes.