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Lawsuit tracker

Labels suing brands over music

Copyright suits that major record companies have filed against brands, many over songs used in social media posts and paid creator videos. Every case links to its public court docket. What a complaint says is alleged, not proven.

Cases we have reviewed, each with its court docket. 5 cases.

  1. UMG Recordings, Inc. v. Last Brand, Inc.

    District Court, N.D. California · No. 3:26-cv-03244 · filed Apr 16, 2026

    The labels and publishers allege the fashion brand and its influencer partners used their music in promotional TikTok and Instagram videos without licences. The complaint lists 67 recordings and 71 compositions as a non-exhaustive list, claims direct, contributory and vicarious infringement, and says Quince kept posting after a September 2024 demand letter.

    Filed 16 April 2026, N.D. California. Allegations, not a ruling.

    Court docket Digital Music News, 20 April 2026Net Influencer

  2. Sony Music Entertainment v. The Kroger Co.

    District Court, C.D. California · No. 2:26-cv-09358 · filed Aug 21, 2026

    Sony alleges at least 392 unauthorised uses of its recordings across Kroger's own uploads and influencer videos it commissioned on TikTok and Instagram, and accuses Kroger of contributory infringement for driving the influencers' use of the music.

    Filed August 2026, federal court in California (2:26-cv-09358). Allegations.

    Court docket Digital Music News, 24 August 2026Ethos Engine, 19 October 2026

  3. Atlantic Music Group LLC v. Luxottica Group S.p.A

    District Court, S.D. New York · No. 1:26-cv-08965 · filed Oct 9, 2026

    Warner sued six companies tied to the Ray-Ban and Oakley owner over 427 songs and recordings used in posts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, seeking up to $150,000 per work for wilful infringement.

    Filed 9 October 2026, S.D. New York. Allegations.

    Court docket Law Commentary, 13 October 2026

  4. Warner Records Inc v. Crumbl LLC

    District Court, D. Utah · No. 2:25-cv-00316 · filed Apr 22, 2025

    A copyright suit over music in the cookie chain's TikTok posts, which the parties settled.

    Reported settled in May 2026.

    Court docket Music Business WorldwideEthos Engine, 19 October 2026

  5. UMG Recordings, Inc. v. Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    District Court, S.D. Florida · No. 0:21-cv-60914 · filed Apr 28, 2021

    Bang paid influencers, owned the videos and reviewed them before posting. The court found that the right to review and refuse payment met the 'control' element of vicarious liability (the claim still went to trial on financial benefit). The contributory claim failed because there was no evidence Bang picked the music.

    Summary-judgment ruling, S.D. Florida, July 2022.

    Court docket Arnold & Porter, July 2022

Planning a campaign with music? Check the song first → Or run it with original audio: on Content Rewardz, creators make the videos and you pay only for verified views.

Frequently asked questions

Where does this list come from?

From public federal court dockets on CourtListener, run by the non-profit Free Law Project. We list copyright cases (nature of suit 820) filed since 2020 in which a major record company sued a company. Cases against AI music services, internet providers and piracy sites are left out because they are not about brand marketing.

Does a case here mean the brand broke the law?

No. A complaint contains allegations. Unless a court has ruled, nothing in it has been proven, and many cases settle without any finding.

Why do labels sue brands over TikTok and Instagram posts?

The platforms' general music libraries are licensed for personal use. Labels argue that brand and paid-creator posts are commercial use that needs its own licence, and in several suits they name influencer videos the brand paid for.

How do I keep my campaigns safe?

Use original audio, a track from the business library of the platform you post on, or music you have licensed in writing. You can check a song with our free song-rights tool before posting.

More free music tools

Sources

This tool gives general information, not legal advice. Library contents change by region and over time, and we cannot see inside TikTok, Meta or YouTube libraries, so always confirm in the official app before posting. For a specific campaign, ask a qualified music-licensing lawyer.