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Who Owns Your Suno AI Music?

· 5 min read

You've just generated an amazing track with Suno AI – it's catchy, unique, and exactly what you envisioned. Now the big question arises: Who actually owns this music? And what can you do with it? Can you share it, upload it to Spotify, use it in your YouTube videos, or even sell it?

Understanding the ownership and usage rights of your Suno AI creations is crucial, especially if you plan to download your songs and use them beyond just personal listening. The answer primarily depends on which Suno plan you were using at the moment you generated the song.

Let's break down the differences between the Free, Pro, and Premier plans.

The Free Tier (Basic Plan): Creative Fun, Non-Commercial Use​

If you create songs using Suno's Free (Basic) plan, here's the key takeaway:

  • Suno Retains Ownership: Suno AI retains the ownership rights to the music generated under the free tier.
  • Your Usage Rights: You are granted a license to use these songs for non-commercial purposes only.

What does "Non-Commercial Use" mean?

Think of it as personal enjoyment and sharing without making money directly from the song itself. You generally can:

  • Listen to your songs on Suno or downloaded to your devices.
  • Share links or downloaded files with friends and family.
  • Use the music on personal, non-monetized social media posts or platforms.

You generally cannot:

  • Upload the songs to streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
  • Use the music in monetized YouTube videos, commercials, or paid content.
  • Sell the songs directly or license them for use in films, games, or other commercial projects.

Pro & Premier Plans: You Own It, Commercial Rights Included​

This is where things change significantly. If you generate songs while actively subscribed to a Pro or Premier plan:

  • You Own the Music: Subject to Suno's Terms of Service, you own the songs you generate during your paid subscription period.
  • Commercial Use Granted: You are granted the rights to use these songs for commercial purposes.

What does "Commercial Use" mean?

This opens up a world of possibilities for your downloaded music. You generally can:

  • Distribute your songs to Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms.
  • Use the songs in your monetized YouTube videos, Twitch streams, or podcasts.
  • Sell your music directly to fans or through online stores.
  • License your music for use in advertisements, films, video games, and other media projects.

Crucial Point: Ownership and commercial rights are determined by your subscription status at the time the song is generated. Subscribing to a Pro or Premier plan later does not grant you retroactive ownership or commercial rights for songs you previously created on the Free plan.

What About the Lyrics You Write?​

Regardless of your plan (Free, Pro, or Premier), Suno's documentation is clear: You retain all ownership and rights to any original lyrics that you personally write and input into Suno. The music generation model uses your lyrics, but the ownership of those specific words remains yours.

However, be cautious when using the "Reuse Prompt" feature on a song made by someone else – if they wrote original lyrics, you'd need their permission to use those lyrics commercially.

What Happens if You Cancel or Change Your Subscription?​

  • Canceling Paid Plan: If you cancel your Pro or Premier subscription, you still own the songs you generated while you were subscribed, and you retain the commercial use rights for those specific tracks. You can continue to distribute or monetize them. However, any new songs you create after reverting to the Free plan will fall under the non-commercial use restrictions.
  • Upgrading to Paid Plan: As mentioned before, upgrading does not change the ownership or rights of songs created before you upgraded (those made on the Free plan remain non-commercial). Only songs generated after you subscribe gain commercial rights.

It's important to understand that owning the song (as granted under Pro/Premier plans) is not exactly the same as having a registered copyright. Copyright law, especially regarding AI-generated content, is complex and varies by country. While you own the output from Suno under a paid plan, its eligibility for official copyright registration might depend on factors like human creative input (like writing original lyrics). Suno advises consulting a qualified attorney for specifics on copyright registration in your region.

Your Plan Matters Most​

The key factor determining ownership and usage rights for your Suno AI music is the plan you have when you hit that "Create" button.

  • Free Plan: Great for experimenting and personal use (Suno owns, non-commercial license for you).
  • Pro/Premier Plan: Essential if you want to own the music and use it commercially (You own, commercial rights included).

Before you download that amazing track and plan its world debut, double-check which plan you used to create it. Always refer to Suno's official Terms of Service for the most up-to-date and detailed information. Now go create, understand your rights, and use your music responsibly!