“Apple now asks the Court to prevent Suno from asking Apple a single question on these exact issues,” Suno stated in a court filing. The AI music company is fighting to compel Apple to answer questions under oath regarding whether Apple Music could survive without the catalogs of Universal Music Group and Sony Music, as part of an ongoing copyright infringement lawsuit.
Federal Court Filing Opposes Apple Subpoena Block
Suno filed its opposition in a federal court on Tuesday, October 27, pushing back against Apple’s attempt to block a deposition subpoena. Apple, which is not a party to the copyright lawsuit, asked a California federal court on October 13 to quash the demand. The tech giant argued that the topics requested by Suno are “irrelevant, overbroad, and disproportionate to the needs of the case.”
The core dispute stems from a Massachusetts federal court lawsuit filed by Universal Music Group and Sony Music in June 2024. The labels initially accused Suno of training its AI models on 560 copyrighted recordings without permission. A second lawsuit filed in September expanded the scope to 60,202 recordings, with potential damages scaling into billions of dollars under a theoretical maximum of $150,000 per work.
Suno demands live testimony on four remaining issues
Suno continues to press for live deposition testimony on four remaining issues. According to Music Business Worldwide, these include Apple’s current licensing negotiations with UMG and Sony, whether Apple Music could survive without the catalogs of Universal Music Group and Sony Music, streaming fraud on the platform, and what the labels have told Apple about Suno.
Billboard reported that Apple has already complied with six document subpoenas during the discovery process, providing granular data on the prevalence of Suno-generated music on its platform and how it detects AI-generated music. However, Apple argues that pushing for live testimony is “overbroad.”
Fair Use and Copyright Misuse Defenses
Suno argues that the major labels themselves placed Apple Music at the center of the litigation. The AI company claims the labels assert that music made by Suno users is flooding streaming platforms. Suno’s defense relies on establishing fair use.
Suno raises a copyright misuse defense, arguing that rightsholders use their copyright monopoly and "must have" catalog as a cudgel to extract broad anti-AI concessions from digital service providers.
Federal court schedules hearing on Apple deposition motion
The broader evidentiary discovery phase involves multiple third-party subpoenas stretching across the music industry. As Billboard reported, deadlines in October brought forth challenges from various firms. Meanwhile, Warner Music Group, an original co-plaintiff in the litigation, reached a settlement with Suno in November 2025.
A federal court hearing on Apple’s motion to block the deposition is scheduled for December 1 before Magistrate Judge Virginia K. DeMarchi. If the court grants Suno’s request, an Apple witness will be required to testify live on the contested licensing and operational topics.
Common Questions About the Apple and Suno Subpoena Dispute
Why is Apple involved in a lawsuit where it is not a direct party?
Apple is involved because both Suno and the major record labels served third-party subpoenas for data and testimony regarding streaming platform operations, AI content detection, and platform economics. Suno argues that UMG and Sony themselves put Apple Music at the center of the case.
What specific information is Suno still demanding from Apple?
Suno is demanding live deposition testimony on four specific topics: Apple’s active licensing negotiations with Universal Music Group and Sony Music, whether Apple Music could survive without the catalogs of Universal Music Group and Sony Music, data on streaming fraud, and what the labels have told Apple about Suno.
When will the court decide on Apple’s request to block the subpoena?
A hearing regarding Apple’s motion to block the deposition subpoena is scheduled for December 1 before Magistrate Judge Virginia K. DeMarchi in a California federal court.
How many recordings are now at the center of the copyright lawsuits against Suno?
The litigation involves two separate lawsuits brought by Universal Music Group and Sony Music. The first action, filed in June 2024, covers 560 sound recordings, while the second complaint, filed in September, adds 60,202 recordings.
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