Eminem’s music publisher, Eight Mile Style, has filed a major lawsuit against tech giant Meta, claiming the company used hundreds of Eminem’s songs without proper licenses on Facebook and Instagram.
The lawsuit, filed in a Nashville federal court, seeks more than $109 million in damages for what the publisher alleges is systematic copyright infringement.
At the heart of the case is Meta’s use of Eminem’s songs in its Music Library feature — a tool that lets users add music to posts and stories. According to Eight Mile Style, Meta has been allowing access to Eminem’s music despite having no valid licensing agreement in place.
The publisher alleges that Meta continued to make Eminem’s songs available even after failing to complete a licensing agreement in 2020. In their court filing, Eight Mile Style said they were initially in talks with Meta through an intermediary, the music licensing company Kobalt.
When Kobalt’s licensing agreement with Meta expired in 2020, Eight Mile Style claims that Meta never followed through with a direct deal — but still let users access and play Eminem’s catalog.
Eight Mile Style says this amounts to unauthorized use of at least 200 Eminem songs, including major hits like Without Me, Stan, and Lose Yourself. They argue that Meta “brazenly infringed” on their rights by continuing to distribute the music through its platforms’ libraries.
As of writing, Meta has not made a public comment on the lawsuit. The company has faced other music licensing disputes in the past, but this one stands out for both the amount in damages being sought and the stature of the artist involved.
The $109 million figure is based on statutory damages, which allow copyright holders to demand up to $150,000 per infringed work. With more than 200 songs allegedly involved, the damages could potentially add up quickly — and set a new precedent if the case proceeds in court.
While the case centers around one of the world’s most recognizable rap artists, the lawsuit touches on a broader issue: how tech platforms handle copyrighted music. With more users adding music to reels, stories, and posts, licensing has become a crucial — and complex — part of the digital ecosystem.
For creators, publishers, and platforms alike, the outcome of this case could influence how music is used across social media. If Meta loses or settles, it may tighten the rules around music usage — or renegotiate how it licenses songs in the future.
For now, Eight Mile Style is pushing for both accountability and compensation. As music rights continue to collide with tech innovation, more of these legal clashes may be on the horizon.
