The drama between the music world and Big Tech just hit a new high note! Eight Mile Style, the publishing company behind rap icon Eminem, has officially taken legal action against Meta the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp accusing the social media giant of illegally using Eminem’s music without the proper licenses.
Filed in a Michigan court, the explosive lawsuit alleges that Meta reproduced, stored, and distributed at least 243 Eminem-owned tracks on its platforms without authorization. These songs reportedly appeared in millions of videos that collectively generated billions of views—all without a dime going to the rapper’s team.
The suit claims Meta used these copyrighted tracks in content like karaoke videos, instrumentals, and even original recordings, despite ongoing failed licensing negotiations with rights company Audiam. The kicker? Eight Mile Style is demanding a jaw-dropping $109 million in damages, and is calling for a court order to stop Meta from continuing these alleged copyright violations.
According to the complaint, Meta’s top execs “actively encouraged infringement” to boost user engagement and, ultimately, ad revenue, which accounted for 97.8% of the company’s earnings in 2023.
Meta clapped back in a statement to the Los Angeles Times, saying it has “extensive licensing agreements” and had been negotiating in good faith before Eight Mile Style abruptly decided to sue.
This isn’t the first round between the two. Back in 2013, Eight Mile Style also sued Facebook for allegedly using Eminem’s “Under the Influence” in a promo video without permission.
Now, they’re seeking $150,000 per song, per platform, and have demanded a jury trial. The case could set a powerful precedent for how tech companies handle music rights.