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Cybersquatting, AI Theft, and the Fight for Artist Rights
Slipknot is suing to reclaim the domain name slipknot.com, which they’ve never owned due to a 2001 registration by an anonymous third party. The band accuses the domain holder of cybersquatting and profiting from their brand without permission. Meanwhile, indie musicians are fighting back against AI company Udio, alleging it scraped and trained on their music without consent — harming their ability to earn a living. This new lawsuit adds a fresh twist to the growing list of AI copyright cases, shifting the spotlight to smaller creators rather than major labels.
ChaseLawyers Newsletter
October 21, 2025
Hi there,
Today’s newsletter spotlights two legal battles that may help define the future of artist rights — one centered on domain ownership, the other on AI-generated music.
First up, Slipknot is finally taking action after more than two decades of not owning their own dotcom. In a new lawsuit, the band alleges that slipknot.com has been used in bad faith to divert fans and monetize unofficial merch — a potential violation of U.S. cybersquatting and trademark laws.
On another front, independent musicians are suing AI startup Udio for copyright infringement, unfair competition, and even privacy violations. Unlike earlier suits led by major labels, this one highlights the disproportionate harm AI can cause to small creators — including lost royalties, sync deals, and job opportunities.
Slipknot Sues Over Domain Name Registered in 2001
Slipknot is suing to seize control of slipknot.com, alleging the current (anonymous) owner registered the domain in bad faith back in 2001. The band claims the site misleads fans and profits from affiliate links to unofficial merch. Though domain registration is normally “first come, first served,” U.S. law offers protection when trademarked names are used with intent to profit unfairly. Slipknot’s case invokes the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act and seeks control of the domain after 23 years.
Udio Hit With New Lawsuit from Independent Artists
Music AI company Udio faces a new copyright lawsuit — not from the majors, but from a group of independent musicians. The artists allege Udio scraped their recordings and lyrics without permission and used them to train a commercial AI tool that now competes with human creators. The lawsuit also includes privacy claims under Illinois law, accusing Udio of exploiting biometric data and voiceprints. This case raises the stakes by spotlighting the unequal burden AI may place on artists without industry backing.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
 Slipknot sue cybersquatter that has controlled the band’s dotcom domain since 2001 |  New Udio lawsuit hones in on the “significant and unequal harm” inflicted on independent musicians by music AI |
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 | Barry Oliver Chase Barry Chase, Esq. is an honors graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School, and the founding partner of ChaseLawyers®. In addition to his entertainment attorney legal practice, Mr. Chase lectures regularly on the representation of media personalities, the legal “do’s and don’ts” of music, television, and film production, and the intricacies of film rights option agreements. |
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