UMG Recordings sues DistroKid over alleged mass-generated tracks and sound-recording infringement

The complaint

UMG Recordings, Inc.; Capitol Records, LLC; and Capitol CMG, Inc. v. DistroKid, LLC; Kid Distro Holdings, LLC; and DK Holdco, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-01156-MN (D. Del.), is a 52-page complaint filed September 15, 2026, ECF No. 1, with a jury demand and Exhibits A and B. The plaintiffs are recorded music companies; UMG Recordings and Capitol Records are Delaware entities and Capitol CMG is a California corporation. The defendants are Delaware limited liability companies that the complaint says own and operate the DistroKid music distribution business. The complaint makes its allegations about the defendants on information and belief. The docket shows the case assigned to Judge Maryellen Noreika.

The deceptive practices claim

UMG alleges that DistroKid gives the false impression that the music it distributes consists of artist-backed releases by real human artists, that it supports digital services' policies and an industry anti-fraud alliance's efforts against mass-uploaded AI content and streaming manipulation, and that it takes a stance against copyright infringement. It alleges DistroKid accepts high-volume uploaders, including accounts already flagged for streaming fraud, and permits impostor tracks that reuse the identifying codes of UMG's recordings. The complaint says it does not challenge clearly disclosed AI-generated music.

The copyright claims

UMG alleges DistroKid distributes remixes and speed-altered versions of its recordings, tracks that copy official cover art, and recordings flagged by the rights-management tools of YouTube, TikTok, Meta, and other services, and that after conceding it lacks rights in a flagged track it keeps distributing the same recording to other services. Exhibits A and B list 1,000 example works, including pre-1972 sound recordings.

Counts and relief

Count One pleads violation of the Delaware Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, 6 Del. C. § 2531 et seq. Counts Two and Three plead direct and vicarious copyright infringement, and Counts Four and Five plead direct and vicarious infringement of pre-1972 sound recordings under 17 U.S.C. § 1401. The plaintiffs seek an injunction under 6 Del. C. § 2533(a); statutory damages under 17 U.S.C. § 504(c) or actual damages and profits; an injunction against infringement that would require removal of infringing tracks and termination of repeat infringers' accounts; impoundment and destruction; and interest, fees, and costs.

On the docket

A September 28, 2026 order granted an unopposed motion extending the defendants' answer deadline to December 4, 2026, and set January 15 and February 5, 2027 for the answering and reply briefs if a motion is filed instead.