Eminem’s publisher sues Meta over alleged copyright breach

By Dickson Jackson

Dar es Salaam. A legal battle is unfolding between Eminem’s music publisher, Eight Mile Style, and tech giant Meta Platforms Inc., over the alleged unauthorised use of the rapper’s songs.

Eight Mile Style, which owns the rights to many of Eminem’s biggest hits, has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Meta—the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—accusing it of using the catalogue without proper licensing.

Filed last Friday in the United States, the lawsuit claims Meta has made at least 243 songs under Eight Mile Style’s control available in its music libraries, enabling users to add them to posts, stories, and reels without permission.

The publisher alleges that although Meta was aware it needed a licence to use the tracks legally, it proceeded without securing one.

Back in 2020, Meta signed a licensing deal with digital royalty collection firm Audiam, but negotiations with Eight Mile Style reportedly broke down, leaving the songs unlicensed.

The suit accuses Meta of direct inducement, contributory, and vicarious copyright infringement, asserting that the company knowingly continued to make the tracks available despite stalled negotiations.

Eight Mile Style is seeking statutory damages of up to $109,000 for each infringed song on each Meta platform, along with a court order to block any further unauthorised use.

Although Eminem is not directly named in the lawsuit, the outcome could have broader implications for music use in user-generated content across social media platforms.

Meta has declined to comment on the pending litigation.