Universal Music Sues Chili's Parent Over Social Media Copyright as Beastie Boys Battle Continues
Universal Music Group (UMG) has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Brinker International, the parent company of Chili's, over unauthorized use of protected music in social media promotional content. This follows an ongoing legal battle with the Beastie Boys over similar allegations.
Key Details:
- The lawsuit was filed in Texas federal court
- UMG claims Brinker used numerous copyrighted songs without permission or payment
- Affected artists include Justin Bieber, ABBA, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, and Frank Sinatra
- Alleged infringement occurred primarily on TikTok and Instagram
Chili's restaurant exterior, red brick facade
Legal Claims:
- Vicarious and contributory infringement
- Unauthorized commercial use of music licensed only for personal use
- Lack of effective copyright compliance procedures
- Usage beyond the scope of existing limited licenses
UMG seeks:
- Monetary damages
- Permanent injunction against further infringement
- Additional discovery to identify potential other violations
Market Impact:
- Brinker stock (NYSE: EAT) declined 2% to $82.96
- Despite lawsuit, stock remains up 97% YTD and 178% since October 2023
This case highlights the growing tension between social media marketing practices and music copyright law, particularly regarding commercial use of licensed music on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
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