Latest news with #OriginalAudio
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Meta Accused Of Massive Music Heist In $109M Lawsuit Over Eminem's Catalog
Eminem's team just dropped a legal bombshell on Meta, and it is shaking up the music world. The rapper's publishing company, Eight Mile Style, is suing the tech giant for a staggering $109 million, accusing it of using his music without permission. According to the explosive filing, Meta allegedly allowed users to post Eminem's tracks on its platforms without proper licensing, sparking fierce backlash and setting the stage for a high-stakes legal battle. Mark Zuckerberg's company, Meta, has landed in hot water, and this time, it is due to Eminem's music catalog. On May 30, Eight Mile Style filed a lawsuit against the tech company, accusing them of copyright infringement and seeking millions in damages. In the court documents obtained by PEOPLE, the publisher claimed that Meta violated the copyright of 243 songs from the rapper's music catalog through the 'unauthorized storage, reproduction, and exploitation' of the tracks on their platforms. According to the filing, Eminem's songs were made available in the tech company's 'Music Libraries' to be used by users to create content using features such as Original Audio and Reels Remix. The publisher chained those features, allowing the 52-year-old's songs to be streamed billions of times and used in millions of videos. The lawsuit claimed that due to the countless unauthorized uses of the icon's songs, there was a 'diminished value of the copyrights by Defendants' theft of them, lost profits, and Defendants' profits attributable to the infringement.' As a result, the company is seeking monetary damages as well as maximum statutory damages. They requested $150,000 for each of the 243 songs per platform, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, bringing the total amount to $109,350,000. In addition, Eight Mile Style requested a jury trial. They claimed that Meta tried to get licenses through Audiam Inc., a digital royalty collector and payment engine. However, Eminem's publisher said they didn't give Audiam access. Following the lawsuit, Meta issued a statement in response to the claims. 'Meta has licenses with thousands of partners around the world and an extensive global licensing program for music on its platforms,' a spokesperson said. They also noted that Meta had been in talks with Eight Mile Style, but instead of continuing the discussion, the publishing company chose to file a lawsuit. Meanwhile, Eminem has clarified that he is personally not part of the lawsuit. In a statement to E! News on Wednesday, June 4, the Grammy Award winner revealed, '8 Mile Style is a publishing company that administers my early catalog releases." "The Meta lawsuit came from them, not me. I'm not personally involved with it and I am not a party to the suit,' he added. This is not the first time Zuckerberg and Eight Mile Style have been embroiled in a legal fight. In 2013, the latter sued Facebook, alleging that the platform used Eminem's song 'Under the Influence' for an advertisement without consent. The advert was featured in a webcast by Zuckerberg to announce Facebook Home, an interface for Android phones. However, the publisher claimed the platform changed the background and music before the advert hit TV and YouTube. 'The alteration of the Airplane advertisement was an admission that Facebook knew it had infringed on the Eminem/D12 composition,' Eight Mile Style claimed per BBC News. They demanded $150,000 in damages per infringement for the resemblance of Eminem's song. In response, Facebook's lawyers argued that the song was exempt from copyright infringement, alleging that the music sounded similar to a Michael Jackson song. Besides popular platforms, individuals, even in Eminem's camp, have also faced legal troubles due to the icon's music. In March 2025, Joseph Strange, a former sound engineer for Eminem, was caught stealing and selling over 25 unreleased tracks from the rapper's private archives. Strange allegedly accessed password-protected hard drives containing unreleased material, transferring files to an external device between 2019 and 2020. The FBI's investigation began after Eminem's team discovered the unreleased songs circulating online and identified images taken directly from the studio's hard drive. Buyers reported paying substantial sums, including one who spent $50,000 in Bitcoin for 25 tracks. Now, Strange faces charges of criminal copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods, carrying potential penalties of up to 15 years in prison and fines up to $250,000.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Eminem sues Meta for $109 million over unlicensed use of his music
Eminem is suing Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, for copyright infringement, accusing the tech giant of distributing over 200 of his songs without permission. The lawsuit, filed by Eminem's music publishing company, Eight Mile Style, on May 30, seeks damages of up to $109 million. Eight Mile Style claims that Meta made Eminem's songs available in its Music Libraries, allowing users to utilise features like Original Audio and Reels Remix. As a result, the rapper's songs were incorporated into millions of videos and streamed billions of times across the platforms. The lawsuit alleges that Meta infringed on the copyrights of 243 of Eminem's songs, accusing the company of the "unauthorized storage, reproduction, and exploitation" of the tracks. Eight Mile Style also claims that this infringement has led to a "diminished value" of the songs and caused financial losses for the company. The lawsuit seeks statutory damages of up to $150,000 per song, per platform, which could result in a total of $109.35 million in damages. In addition to monetary compensation, Eight Mile Style is also requesting a jury trial. A Meta spokesperson told The Independant that the company had been negotiating with Eight Mile Style in good faith but was faced with a lawsuit instead of continued discussions.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Popular rapper Eminem sues Facebook-parent Meta for $109 million, here's why
Eminem takes Mark Zuckerberg's Meta to court. Grammy-winning rapper Eminem has filed a lawsuit of $109 million against Facebook-parent Meta accusing it of copyright infringement. The lawsuit, filed by Eminem's music publishing company, Eight Mile Style, accuses Meta of the "unauthorised storage, reproduction, and exploitation" of 243 of Eminem's songs across its per the court documents seen by People, Eight Mile Style alleges that Meta's in-app features, such as "Original Audio" and "Reels Remix," have actively encouraged and allowed users to incorporate Eminem's music into their video content without proper licensing or attribution. The lawsuit further claims that this has led to rapper's songs being used in millions of videos and streamed billions of times, resulting in diminished value of the copyrights and lost profits for the publisher. Eminem vs Meta: Unauthorised use of music As reported by People, the lawsuit alleges that Meta has allowed its users to store, reproduce and exploit Eminem's songs through features like Original Audio and Reels Remix, which enable users to incorporate music into their content without proper attribution or licensing. Eight Mile Style is seeking statutory damages of $150,000 per song, per platform (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp), which could accumulate to the total sum exceeding $109 million. The publisher has also requested a jury trial and a permanent injunction to prevent Meta from future unauthorised use of Eminem's music. What Meta said on the lawsuit Meta has not yet issued a public comment directly on the lawsuit. However, a company by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo spokesperson told People that the company has licenses with thousands of partners around the world and the company has also been negotiating with Eight Mile Style. 'Meta has licenses with thousands of partners around the world and an extensive global licensing program for music on its platforms. Meta had been negotiating in good faith with Eight Mile Style, but rather than continue those discussions, Eight Mile Style chose to sue,' said Meta spokesperson. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Eminem vs Meta: Rapper sues Facebook parent for $109million after using his hits on its platform
Eminem is suing technology giant Meta, claiming the social media company distributed over 200 of his songs to users without permission. The 'Lose Yourself' rapper's music publishing company, Eight Mile Style, accused Mark Zuckerberg's Meta – the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp – of copyright infringement in the May 30 lawsuit. Potential damages could be more than $109 million. The company is seeking statutory damages of up to $150,000 per song, per platform, according to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by PEOPLE. The lawsuit alleges Eminem's songs were made available in Meta's 'Music Libraries' to then be used in user-generated content using features such as Original Audio and Reels Remix. The feature has allowed the Grammy-winning artist's songs to be used in millions of videos and streamed billions of times, according to the suit. Eight Mile Style claims in the suit that Meta violated the copyright of 243 songs from its catalogue through the 'unauthorized storage, reproduction and exploitation' of the songs on various platforms. The lawsuit claims that because of this, there is now a 'diminished value of the copyrights by Defendants' theft of them, lost profits, and Defendants' profits attributable to the infringement.' His company is seeking monetary damages and has asked for the maximum statutory damages, or $150,000 for each song, per platform, which would result in $109,350,000 in damages. Eight Mile Style has also requested a jury trial, according to the report. Court documents allege that Meta tried to get licenses through Audiam, Inc, a digital royalty collection and payment engine, though Eight Mile Style says it did not give Audiam access. The lawsuit states that while Meta removed some songs after Eight Mile Style's earlier complaints, they allegedly 'reproduced and stored unauthorized unlicensed copies.' In comments to The Independent, a Meta spokesperson said, 'Meta has licenses with thousands of partners around the world and an extensive global licensing program for music on its platforms. Meta had been negotiating in good faith with Eight Mile Style, but rather than continue those discussions, Eight Mile Style chose to sue."
Arab Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Eminem sues Meta over unauthorized use of music in reels
LOS ANGELES, June 4: Rap icon Eminem has filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, accusing the tech giant of unauthorized use and distribution of his music through its social media tools, including Reels Remix and Original Audio. The complaint was filed on May 30 in Michigan federal court by Eminem's production company, Eight Mile Style. The lawsuit alleges that Meta engaged in 'rampant' and 'knowing infringement' by making Eminem's songs available in its 'Music Libraries' for use in user-generated content — often without obtaining the necessary licenses. These songs, including major hits like 'Lose Yourself,' were allegedly used in millions of videos and streamed billions of times without proper authorization. Eight Mile Style contends that Meta attempted to secure licensing through Audiam, Inc., a digital royalty collection company, but asserts that Audiam was never granted such authority on its behalf. The lawsuit claims Meta 'willfully' encouraged its billions of users to use Eminem's music without a license and is not eligible for Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) safe harbor protections due to its alleged knowledge and facilitation of the infringement. While some songs were reportedly removed from Meta platforms following complaints — including 'Lose Yourself' — Eight Mile Style maintains that unauthorized covers and instrumental versions of the rapper's music remain accessible. The company is seeking statutory damages of up to $150,000 per song, per platform — potentially amounting to over $1 million — along with actual damages, lost profits, and a permanent injunction against the continued unlicensed use of Eminem's music. Eight Mile Style has also requested a jury trial.
