The Beastie Boys have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Brinker International, Chili's parent company, over the alleged unauthorized use of their song "Sabotage" in a social media promotional video.

Surviving members Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz, along with Adam Yauch's estate, claim Brinker produced and posted social media videos promoting Chili's using "Sabotage" without permission as early as November 2022. The lawsuit alleges infringement of the song's composition, recording, and music video elements.

The plaintiffs assert they typically don't license their music for advertising, noting that Yauch's will specifically prohibits such commercial use. However, previous usage in a Destiny 2 trailer suggests some exceptions to this policy.

This case highlights growing concerns around social media marketing and music licensing. While platforms offer music libraries, these licenses typically cover only personal, not commercial, use. Similar cases include:

• Monster Energy's $1.7 million payment to Beastie Boys in 2014 for unauthorized music use
• Sony Music's lawsuit against OFRA Cosmetics for social media infringement in 2023
• Marriott's legal battle with Sony Music over "rampant infringement" in May 2024

The lawsuit emerges as restaurants increasingly turn to social media marketing amid operational challenges, though this strategy carries significant legal risks when music licensing isn't properly secured.

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