This week, Google argued in a new policy paper that training AI models on publicly available web data is fair use, and that copyright concerns should be policed on outputs, not inputs.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of US senators reintroduced the AI Labeling Act of 2026, which would force AI-generated audio, video and images to carry disclosures identifying them as artificially generated.
Elsewhere, the Michael Jackson biopic Michael overtook Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer to become the highest-grossing biopic of all time, handing Lionsgate its biggest release in history with $1 billion in sight.
Also this week, AI music platform Suno revealed it is exploring a developer API, inviting outside developers to build apps on its generative-music models.
Plus, Primary Wave Music committed at least $100 million to back Atticus Works, a new literary and theatrical catalog acquisition company.
Here are some of the biggest headlines from the past few days…
1. GOOGLE SAYS AI TRAINING IS FAIR USE, AND COPYRIGHT SHOULD BE POLICED ON OUTPUTS, NOT INPUTS
The RIAA, music publishers, and independent artists are all fighting AI companies in court over the same question: whether training a model on copyrighted work without permission is fair use. Google, which builds its own AI music tools, has a direct stake in the outcome. Now, in a new policy paper outlining the company’s preferred approach to AI regulation, Google has argued that training AI models on publicly available web data should “remain protected” by fair use in the US… (MBW)
2. US SENATORS REVIVE BILL TO FORCE AI-GENERATED AUDIO, VIDEO AND IMAGES TO CARRY LABELS
A bipartisan group of US senators has reintroduced legislation that would require AI-generated audio, video and images to carry disclosures identifying them as artificially generated. The AI Labeling Act of 2026 was introduced on Thursday (June 25) by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Curtis (R-UT) and Mark Warner (D-VA). Its backers include SAG-AFTRA, the Songwriters Guild of America, Music Creators North America and the Society of Composers and Lyricists… (MBW)
3. MICHAEL JACKSON MOVIE OVERTAKES OPPENHEIMER AS BIGGEST BIOPIC EVER, WITH $1 BILLION IN SIGHT
Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic, has become the highest-grossing biopic of all time. The film has grossed USD $977 million at the worldwide box office, overtaking Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer to take the record for any movie based on a real-life figure. It passed the milestone on Sunday (June 28), according to Variety… (MBW)
4. SUNO EXPLORES DEVELOPER API, SEEKING APPS THAT ‘UNLOCK EXPERIENCES GENERATIVE MUSIC MAKES POSSIBLE FOR THE FIRST TIME’
Suno is exploring the launch of a developer API for its AI music generation platform. The company’s Chief Product Officer, Jack Brody, revealed the plans in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday (July 1), publishing a link to an intake form inviting developers to apply for early access. Brody described the initiative as a precursor to what he called Suno’s “partner powered model”… (MBW)
5. PRIMARY WAVE PUMPS $100M INTO ATTICUS WORKS, A NEW LITERARY AND THEATRICAL CATALOG ACQUISITION COMPANY
Atticus Works, a new literary and theatrical catalog acquisition company, earlier this week announced its launch in strategic partnership with Primary Wave Music. Primary Wave has confirmed it is backing the company with a minimum of USD $100 million in investment. Allen & Company LLC acted as financial advisor to Primary Wave Music in connection with the transaction… (MBW)
