Suno: Commercial Rights, Copyright, and the 4-File Proof Pack

If you are an independent artist using AI-assisted tools like Suno to create or enhance your music, navigating the legal landscape can feel overwhelming. The quality of AI generation has skyrocketed, but so has the scrutiny from distributors and streaming platforms.

Before you release your next track, you need to be clear on one critical distinction: Commercial Rights vs. Copyright. Knowing the difference—and proving your ownership—is the key to publishing confidently.

The Two-Layers Model

To manage risk effectively, think of your rights in two separate layers:

1. Commercial Rights (The “License” to Sell)

This is determined by the Terms of Service of the tool you utilize.

Suno Free Plan: You do not own the commercial rights. You cannot monetize the tracks.
Suno Pro / Premier Plan: You own the commercial rights to the songs you generate. This means you can distribute them to Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, and you can keep the royalties.

Key Limit: Owning commercial rights gives you permission to sell, but it does not necessarily grant you copyright ownership of the AI-generated audio itself.

2. Copyright (The “Ownership” of Authorship)

This is determined by Law (e.g., US Copyright Office).

Raw AI Generation: Purely AI-generated content is not copyrightable in the US. You cannot file a takedown if someone samples your raw AI chord progression.
Human Authorship: You can own copyright on the parts you created: your original lyrics, your vocal performance, or significant musical arrangements/edits you added after the generation.

The Strategy: Rely on your Commercial Rights to monetize, but build your Copyright claim based on your human contribution (lyrics, composition, edits).

What Changed?

Distributors are becoming stricter. They may ask for proof that you have the right to distribute AI-assisted content. If you cannot prove you have a valid license (Pro/Premier) or that you contributed human authorship, your release could be rejected or takedowned.

The 4-File “Proof Pack”

To sleep soundly at night, prepare a “Proof Pack” for every single release. This is your digital paper trail. Save these 4 files in a dedicated folder for each song:

1. Subscription Proof

File: A PDF receipt or invoice from Suno showing you had an active Pro or Premier subscription on the date the track was generated.
Why: It proves you legally hold the commercial rights. Without this, you look like a Free user violating the terms.

2. Final Master Audio

File: The high-quality WAV (and MP3) file of your finished track.
Why: This is the asset you are protecting and distributing.

3. Timestamp Certificate (MusicStart or equivalent)

File: A certificate of anteriority (e.g., from MusicStart, SACEM, or a blockchain notary).
Why: It proves when you possessed the file. If you wrote the lyrics, register the lyrics text file alongside the audio. This creates a legal anchor point for your human authorship.

4. Track Evidence

File: A text file containing the direct link to the generation on Suno, OR a screenshot of your “Library” page showing the track.
Why: It links your specific audio file to your specific Suno account, closing the loop on provenance.

Practical Checklist

Copy this checklist for your next release workflow:

Verify Dates: Ensure your Suno subscription was active when you hit “Create”.
Download Invoice: Save the PDF receipt for that month.
Capture Evidence: Screenshot the Suno library page or save the generation link.
Export Master: Save the final WAV file.
Register Timestamp: Upload the Master + Lyrics to a service like MusicStart to certify the date.
Back Up: Store these 4 items in a folder named [YYYY-MM-DD] Track Title - Proof Pack.

FAQ

Q: Can I copyright a song that is 100% AI generated? A: Generally, no. Without human input (like lyrics or composition), the US Copyright Office likely refuses registration. You can sell it (commercial rights), but you can’t claim “authorship” of the AI audio.

Q: Does modifying the track give me copyright? A: It depends on the extent of the modification. Simple mastering might not be enough. Adding your own vocals, writing original lyrics, or rearranging the structure significantly strengthens your claim to human authorship.

Q: What if I cancel my Suno subscription? A: You keep the commercial rights for tracks generated while you were subscribed. You do not lose rights to past tracks, but you cannot generate new commercial tracks on the Free plan.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Copyright laws vary by country and are evolving rapidly regarding AI. Always consult a qualified attorney for specific legal questions.

Ready to publish? Download the Proof Pack template / copy the checklist and secure your releases today.