U.S. music publishers sign industry‑wide AI licensing deals with Udio and Klay

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) announced two landmark AI licensing agreements at its annual meeting in New York on June 10. The first is an industry‑wide deal with AI music platform Udio that, for the first time, values songs and sound recordings equally for AI training. NMPA members can review and opt‑in to the agreement beginning June 15. The second is an agreement in principle with Klay, slated to launch later this summer, allowing members to join after receiving instructions from the NMPA.

NMPA President and CEO David Israelite said the deals demonstrate progress toward cooperation between creators and AI companies while the association continues litigation against “bad” AI actors. At the same event, the NMPA disclosed U.S. publishing revenues of $7.29 billion for 2025 and highlighted royalty losses of roughly $480 million caused by recent streaming‑bundle pricing schemes.