DistroKid removes songs following Universal Music Group lawsuit

DistroKid has removed a small number of recordings from streaming platforms following a lawsuit filed by Universal Music Group (UMG). The legal action, filed in September, accuses the independent distributor of deceptive trade practices and copyright infringement. UMG alleges that DistroKid has flooded streaming services with mass AI-generated, SEO-optimized, and copyright-infringing content, including tracks that use unlicensed samples, remixes, or altered speeds.

DistroKid executive Amanda Ferri stated that the company strongly disputes the allegations in the lawsuit but confirmed that some removals occurred in response to UMG’s claims. Ferri expressed regret for the disruption to affected artists and noted that the company is working to minimize impact while protecting artists' ability to release music.

Some independent artists have reported that their music was removed without warning, claiming their work was neither AI-generated nor infringing. The lawsuit specifically cites concerns regarding the siphoning of royalty pools due to the influx of AI-generated content and unauthorized remixes.