Warner Music Group filed a $23.85 million lawsuit against Crumbl for failing to secure licenses for 159 copyrighted songs used in promotional posts, following a previous cease-and-desist notice. This trend signifies that music labels are increasingly vigilant in monitoring brand usage of their content on social media platforms. TikTok's music rights only permit personal use, leaving businesses exposed to copyright infringement claims. The legal landscape is becoming stricter, highlighting the necessity for brands to understand and obtain appropriate music licenses to mitigate risks.
In April, Warner Music Group sued the viral bakery chain Crumbl for $23.85 million, claiming it used 159 copyrighted songs in TikTok and Instagram posts without securing proper licenses.
It's part of a larger pattern: music labels are watching brands closely and taking action when they find patterns of infringement. It's not about your size - it's about your content.
TikTok's music licenses typically apply to personal use. If you're a brand using the platform to sell something, that qualifies as commercial use under U.S. copyright law.
Today's music rights holders use tools to detect audio fingerprints - even from short clips or low-volume background tracks. If software can detect it, you better believe the rights holders can.
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