Belgian music platform Jamendo launched a bold offensive against tech behemoths Nvidia and Suno in early 2025, filing lawsuits that allege unauthorized use of its vast music catalog for AI model training. The legal action spotlights a growing tension between content creators and AI developers, specifically regarding copyright infringement in training datasets used to develop generative music technologies.
Industry observers note this case could establish important precedents for how creative works are protected in the age of artificial intelligence.
While taking a stand against exploitative AI practices, Jamendo simultaneously embraced beneficial applications of the technology by introducing an innovative AI-powered music search feature. The system allows users to describe moods, scenes, or specific brief requirements and receive tailored music recommendations from Jamendo’s library of over 300,000 tracks by 70,000 independent artists.
Finding the perfect mood through AI while protecting artist rights in our 300,000-track library
Each track in the catalog features 180 distinct metadata tags covering style, mood, tempo, and instrumentation, enabling remarkably precise search results for commercial clients and casual listeners alike. Users can now find music by typing sync briefs and scene outlines for more intuitive discovery. Potential statutory damages could range from $750 to $150,000 per track under the US Copyright Act if Jamendo prevails in court.
As a subsidiary of Belgium’s Llama Group, which also owns the revitalized Winamp music player acquired in 2014, Jamendo’s approach reflects a thorough strategy of integrating technology with ethical artist support. The company’s new initiative aligns perfectly with the growing importance of sync deals as a highly profitable revenue stream for musicians in the digital era. Unlike platforms such as Spotify and SoundCloud, Jamendo offers artists unique royalty structures that prioritize fair compensation without streaming thresholds. The company’s partnership with Bridger, Llama Group’s rights management division, provides artists with robust royalty collection infrastructure through connections with organizations like BMI and CISAC, ensuring creators receive proper compensation globally.
“Our position is clear: AI should enhance human creativity, not exploit or replace it,” stated a Jamendo representative during the announcement of the lawsuits. This stance has resonated with independent artists increasingly concerned about unauthorized use of their work.
The company’s dual approach—developing ethical AI tools while challenging improper practices—positions it as both an innovator and defender in the rapidly evolving music technology landscape, where questions of copyright, fair compensation, and artistic integrity remain paramount.
