Eminem sues Meta for unauthorised use of his music

Eminem is suing Meta for the alleged unauthorised distribution of his music across its platforms.

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As The Wrap reports, the multinational tech company – which operates Facebook, Instagram, Threads and WhatsApp – has been accused of using the rapper’s songs without a valid license via its Reels Remix and Original Audio functions.

It is said that Eminem – real name Marshall Mathers – is seeking statutory damages of up to $150,000 (£110,837) per track. As a result, potential damages could reach more than $1million (£739,000) in total.

The publication notes that the suit alleges that the star’s songs were made available in Meta’s “Music Libraries”, and were used in user-generated content through tools like Reels Remix and Original Audio.

This led to Mathers’ material soundtracking millions of online videos and being streamed billions of times.

It is reported that the document says Meta sought to obtain licenses through digital royalty collection and payment engine Audiam. However, Eminem’s publisher Eight Mile Style claims it did not grant these.

Meta, which is owned by Mark Zuckerberg, is accused of “rampant infringement” of Eight Mile Compositions, as well as “knowing infringement”. The suit claims that the company “encourag[ed] billions of users of its online services to do so, all willfully, and without a license”.

The documents adds: “Thus, as Meta knows, it does not enjoy and is not eligible for the Digital Millennium Copyright Act’s (‘DMCA’) safe harbor provisions.”

It is noted that Meta has already removed some tracks following complaints, including 2002 hit ‘Lose Yourself’. But the suit claims that the company “continues to host unauthorised cover and instrumental versions” across its platforms.

Eight Mile Style is also seeking actual damages, lost profits and a permanent injunction against unlicensed usage of Eminem’s music. Meta has requested a jury trial, according to the report.

The tech company has not responded publicly to the suit, at the time of writing.

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