Eminem Sues Meta Over Unauthorized Use of 243 Songs — $109 Million Lawsuit Filed



Eminem who is one of the most well-known rappers of our day is currently suing tech giant Meta for serious copyright violation. The lawsuit that was submitted on May 30 by his music publishing company which is Eight Mile Style claims that Meta unlawfully shared 243 of his songs on its Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp platforms, including hits like "Lose Yourself."

According to reports, the songs were made accessible through Meta's "Music Libraries" and were featured in millions of user generated videos through Reels Remix and Original Audio. According to Eight Mile Style, this resulted in billions of illegal streams and massive profits for Meta which did not benefit the legitimate owners.

The lawsuit seeks statutory damages of up to $150,000 for each song on each platform for a total of over $109 million. Despite claiming that it was negotiating with Eight Mile Style through Audiam, the publisher maintains that it never gave Audiam permission to act on its behalf. The lawsuit alleges that even though some songs were eventually taken down but Meta kept storing and using the recordings without permission.

Eight Mile Style is currently advocating for a jury trial as well as complete repayment for lost revenue and diminished copyright value.



My comments:

This is an important reminder that copyright laws apply to even multinational huge companies like Meta. Songs are not always free to use just because they are posted online especially not to how far Meta allegedly allowed them. Platforms should be more cautious when it comes to licensing. Also, artists like Eminem ought to receive fair compensation for their work. Before releasing these features, Meta should have got the appropriate rights if they genuinely respect creators and the singers. The way music is treated on social media platforms in the future may be significantly impacted by this lawsuit.

-Mariam Ibrahim-

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