Lawsuit tracker: brands sued over music in social posts
Short answer
Record labels are suing brands over songs in their social media posts, including posts made by creators and influencers the brands paid. Damages are counted per song, at up to $150,000 each, so a busy account can face claims in the tens of millions.
| Brand | Sued by | Filed | Scale | What they posted | Claimed exposure | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luxottica (Ray-Ban, Oakley, Costa) | Warner Music Group | Oct 2026 | At least 427 works | Music in videos posted by the company’s eyewear brands on social media. | Up to $64M (reported, at $150K per work) | Open | Source |
| Kroger | Sony Music | Aug 2026 | 392 alleged uses | Songs in videos on Kroger brand accounts and in posts by influencers Kroger paid. | Up to $58.8M (reported) | Open | Source |
| Quince | Universal Music and Concord | Apr 2026 | 138 works (67 recordings, 71 songs) | TikTok and Instagram videos, including paid influencer videos. In one, Quince reposted a creator’s video and swapped in a hit song. | Up to $20.7M (at $150K per work) | Open | Source |
| DSW | Sony Music | 2025 | 122 recordings in 170+ videos | Social media ads by DSW and its influencers. | Up to $150K per work | Settlement in principle, Aug 2026 | Source |
| DSW | Warner Music Group | May 2025 | 200+ works | TikTok and Instagram posts, including paid influencer partnerships. | Over $30M (reported estimate) | Filed | Source |
| Crumbl | Warner Music Group | Apr 2025 | 159 works | Promotional videos on Crumbl’s TikTok and Instagram accounts. | Up to $23.9M (at $150K per work) | Settled in principle, May 2026 (terms not disclosed) | Source |
| Marriott | Sony Music | May 2024 | 931 alleged uses | 913 from hotels Marriott owned, managed or franchised; 18 from influencers it paid. | Nearly $140M (reported) | Dropped Oct 2024 (reported settlement) | Source |
| Bang Energy | Sony Music | 2021 | About 286 videos | Brand and influencer videos on TikTok, Instagram and other apps. The court held Bang liable for its influencers’ videos. | Up to $150K per work | Sony won on key liability claims, Sept 2022 | Source |
The pattern
- It’s about social posts, not TV ads. Every case involves TikTok, Instagram or similar posts.
- Creator content counts. Kroger, Quince, DSW, Marriott and Bang Energy all include influencer or partner videos.
- Deleting posts doesn’t end it. Labels document posts and sue over past use.
- The numbers scale with volume. Damages are counted per work, so a busy account multiplies the exposure.
We add new cases as they’re reported. Know of one we’ve missed? Tell us through the contact form.
Common questions
Why are record labels suing brands over TikTok posts?
Platform music licenses cover personal use, not marketing. Labels say brands used their songs to promote products without a commercial license.
How much can a brand be sued for using a song?
US statutory damages run from $750 to $30,000 per work, and up to $150,000 per work if the infringement is willful.
Do these lawsuits include influencer posts?
Yes. Several cases, including Kroger, Quince, DSW and Marriott, include videos by influencers the brand paid.
Does deleting the posts stop a lawsuit?
No. Labels record posts and can sue over past use. Deleting helps limit further exposure.
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General information, not legal advice. Platform rules and licenses change; check the current terms or ask your lawyer about your situation. Lawsuit figures are as reported and represent claims, not findings, unless noted.