USC Reaches Settlement with Sony Music in Music Licensing Lawsuit
The University of Southern California (USC) has reached a tentative settlement with Sony Music in a lawsuit regarding the unauthorized use of songs by artists like Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Bruno Mars, and Travis Scott in Instagram and TikTok videos promoting USC sports teams. The settlement is still pending finalization, and the terms have not been disclosed. Both Sony and USC have refrained from commenting on the settlement.
Sony filed the lawsuit against USC a year ago, alleging that the university's sports social media accounts had shared over 250 videos featuring more than 170 unlicensed songs owned by Sony. The lawsuit listed popular songs like Beyoncé's "Break My Soul," Harry Styles' "As It Was," Bruno Mars' "Uptown Funk," Travis Scott's "Sicko Mode," and others. Sony sought damages of $150,000 per infringed song, totaling over $25 million.
USC, a college sports powerhouse with significant annual revenue, stated that it respects intellectual property rights and would address the allegations in court. The university's initial court filings focused on the issue of venue, arguing against being sued in New York. Major record labels have increasingly filed lawsuits against corporate social media accounts for music licensing violations, with many cases settling confidentially.
Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have blanket licenses for individual users to use pre-cleared songs, but commercial accounts like USC's sports teams are required to purchase synch licenses for music use. Other entities targeted in similar lawsuits include Chili's, NBA teams, and Crumbl cookie company. While most cases settle out of court, some defendants, like shoe retailer DSW, have challenged the requirement for additional licenses for business use.
In conclusion, USC's settlement with Sony Music over the unauthorized use of songs in social media videos highlights the importance of proper music licensing for commercial accounts. The outcome of this case underscores the need for businesses to adhere to copyright laws and obtain necessary licenses for music use in promotional content.