AI Music Licensing for Indie Games: What You Need to Know

Why licensing matters

AI-generated music is convenient, but Steam and console platforms expect you to own or license all shipped audio. Do not assume "I generated it" means "I can sell it."

Tool-by-tool guidance

Suno and Udio Both require paid plans for commercial use. Read the current Terms of Service before putting tracks in a paid game. Prototype freely; verify before release.

Soundraw One of the clearest options: paid plans explicitly include royalty-free commercial use. Good default if legal clarity matters more than creative surprise.

AIVA Free tier is typically non-commercial. Pro plan needed for commercial game distribution.

Practical checklist

1. Confirm your subscription tier allows commercial game use.
2. Save license documentation at ship time.
3. Prefer tools with explicit royalty-free terms for final BGM.
4. When in doubt, replace AI tracks before launch or hire a composer for key themes.