Rapper Eminem has brought a lawsuit against social networking giant Facebook and its ad agency Wieden + Kennedy, alleging that the companies used one of his songs in a Facebook Home advertisement without his permission.
Eminem is alluding to a 30-second Facebook ad broadcast online in April that seemingly copied music from his 2000 song “Under the Influence.” The advertisement, named “Airplane,” was first released in a webcast by Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg to announce Facebook Home, an interface for Android phones.
In the 12-page complaint, the rapper claims that the music in the advertisement was modified slightly after the premiere, and argues that the alteration represents an admission by Facebook that the music was used without permission.
The suit also names Facebook’s ad agency in the case, and says the company used the song in the webcast “in an effort to curry favor with Facebook by catering to Zuckerberg’s personal likes and interests, and/or to invoke the same irreverent theme.”
The lawsuit has not named the amount of compensatory damages it may be seeking from the social networking site as of yet. Facebook has not yet issued a response to the lawsuit.
Several musicians have been in the hot seat as of late for similar violations of entertainment law, including Usher, Justin Bieber, and country singer Tim McGraw, all of whom are facing lawsuits relating to copyright infringement.
Special Needs Trusts in New Jersey: Planning for Your Loved One’s Future
For parents of a child with a disability, estate planning raises concerns that go well beyond deciding who will inherit their assets. Parents may spend years making sure their child has the right care, services, and support. Eventually, they must also confront a difficult question: Who will take over when they can no longer do […]
What Every Real Estate Investor Should Know Before Buying a Rental Property
Before buying a New Jersey rental property, an investor should verify realistic operating numbers, the property’s legal and regulatory status, lead-based paint and flood compliance, the existing leases and tenant protections, and the right ownership structure. A rental property is more than a piece of real estate; it is an operating business subject to legal, […]
Can You Change an Irrevocable Trust in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, an irrevocable trust can sometimes be modified even though its name suggests otherwise, and one of the primary tools for doing so is a process called decanting. Whether decanting is available depends on the specific terms of the trust and the discretion given to the trustee. Key takeaways: New Jersey has no […]
How Intellectual Property Valuation Will Impact Business Transactions
Intellectual property valuation determines the monetary value of a business’s IP assets, and it drives outcomes in licensing deals, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, financing, and ownership disputes. The most valuable assets of a business are often the things that cannot be seen or touched: a proprietary process, a copyrighted work, brand recognition, or the […]
Data Center, Dark Fiber, and Lit Services Agreements in New Jersey: Key Terms and Legal Pitfalls
For New Jersey data center owners and operators, a service agreement may look routine when it is signed. The network is functioning, the vendor is meeting its installation schedule, and the parties have agreed on pricing and performance specifications. The provisions that seem most important at that stage are often the technical ones. That changes […]
Fort Monmouth Redevelopment and the Transformation of Monmouth County Real Estate
The Fort Monmouth redevelopment has entered its execution phase, and it is repositioning the broader Monmouth County real estate market. When Netflix and the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority closed on the 292-acre Mega Parcel in December 2025, the transaction did more than hand over a deed. It marked the moment Fort Monmouth stopped being […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
