Suno has added another music-industry partner to its rapidly changing business, announcing Tuesday a strategic agreement with France-based independent music company Believe that also includes TuneCore, Believe’s digital distribution division.
The deal marks the latest move by the controversial AI music-generating platform to work more directly with rights holders after licensing agreements with Warner Music and BMG. Under the new arrangement, music from participating Believe and TuneCore artists and labels will be included in new music models Suno is launching in partnership with the music industry, according to the announcement.
The companies said artists and labels will be able to choose whether to opt in to new licensed music products that Suno, Believe and TuneCore create together. Those who consent to take part will be compensated for the use of their music, and their rights will be protected, the announcement said. Participating artists will also have access to Suno’s training protections, as well as its recently announced transparency tools and download limits.
The partnership also creates a distribution path for music made through Suno’s new industry partner model. All tracks created by artists using that model will be eligible for distribution through Believe and TuneCore.
A shift from Believe’s earlier Suno position
The distribution component is notable because it changes Believe’s position from April 2026, when the company decided to block distribution of music made with Suno’s then-current models. The new agreement reflects what the announcement described as progress achieved in recent months for artists.
Denis Ladegaillerie, founder and CEO of Believe, framed the deal as part of the company’s broader work with artists and labels as new technologies reshape music creation and distribution.
“For 20 years, we have been helping artists and labels reach their full potential, and increasingly that means working with new technology like AI, while ensuring that responsible innovation translates into greater opportunities and value-generation for artists,” Ladegaillerie said. “The partnership we worked on with Suno for Believe and TuneCore unlocks powerful tools for all artists and labels. It now gives them a meaningful choice over how they can participate, protect their rights and enables them to share the value created by innovative responsible AI technologies.”
Suno CEO Mikey Shulman said the companies share a focus on independent artists and described the agreement as a way to broaden both creative access and distribution opportunities.
“We have always shared a common goal with Believe to support independent artists at all stages of their careers,” Shulman said. “This partnership will significantly expand opportunities for independent artists, giving them access to creative tools, new paths to distribute their music through Believe and TuneCore, and more exposure.”
Shulman added that Suno has been “laying the foundation for the next generation of Suno” by strengthening safeguards, expanding industry partnerships and learning from artists testing its upcoming music models. He said the company is “thrilled to work with Believe on innovative product experiences” intended to give Believe artists new ways to earn and connect more deeply with fans.
Industry deals arrive amid legal battles
The Believe agreement arrives as Suno continues to navigate a fraught relationship with parts of the music business. The platform has struck licensing deals with Warner Music and BMG, with Warner having previously sued Suno. But the company remains in ongoing legal action with Universal and Sony over alleged unauthorized use of copyrighted material.
Suno also was sued earlier this week by Grammy-winning Americana singer Jason Isbell and others. That lawsuit claims the company has allowed users to produce tracks based on musicians’ identities with its models without their consent.
Last month, a German court found that Suno was violating U.S. and German copyright laws.
For Believe and TuneCore artists and labels, the new agreement establishes an opt-in structure around Suno’s forthcoming industry-partnered models and products. For Suno, it adds another music company to its list of industry-facing arrangements at a time when the platform is simultaneously expanding partnerships and defending itself in court.