Trusted by senior Legal and Marketing leaders to eliminate social media copyright risk.
As Seen In
The Proof: Recent Brand Lawsuits.
Music labels are suing brands like yours — for millions. One unlicensed song in an influencer video is all it takes. Here’s what’s happened recently:
Sony Music sues Gymshark for misusing 'hundreds' of songs in ads
Sony Music accused British fitness apparel startup Gymshark of infringing its copyrights by misusing music from some of its most popular artists -- including Beyonce, Britney Spears, Travis Scott, and Harry Styles
DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse Accused by Warner Music of 200+ Unlicensed Posts in $30 Million Lawsuit
Warner Music sued the footwear retailer for using songs by Cardi B and Bruno Mars in over 200 promotional TikTok and Instagram posts and paid influencer campaigns without obtaining a license.
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and SportsGrid Sued for Up to $150,000 Each Over a Single Use of the Space Jam Theme
Watson Music Group sued the Minor League Baseball team and sports betting company for using the Quad City DJ's Space Jam theme in a single social media video without a license.
Iconic London Sued by Warner Music Affiliates for Up to $24.75 Million Over Influencer Videos
Warner Music accused the UK beauty brand of using 165 unlicensed songs by Dua Lipa and Ariana Grande as backing tracks across hundreds of influencer promotional videos on Instagram and TikTok.
OFRA Cosmetics Sued by Sony Music for Up to $50 Million Over 329 Unlicensed Social Media Posts
Sony Music sued the beauty brand for using unlicensed recordings by Britney Spears and Harry Styles as backing music across 329 product demonstration and influencer videos on Instagram and TikTok.
Bang Energy Hit With Universal Music Group Lawsuit Over Unlicensed TikTok Ads
Universal Music Group sued the energy drink brand for using songs by Megan Thee Stallion and Billie Eilish in over 140 paid TikTok promotional videos without a license. A US federal court ruled Bang Energy directly liable for copyright infringement.
Marriott Hotels Sued by Sony Music for Up to $140 Million Over Rampant Infringement Across 931 Social Posts
Sony Music sued the hotel giant for using unlicensed recordings by Beyoncé and Michael Jackson across 931 Instagram and TikTok posts published by its hotel brands and paid influencers. The case settled confidentially in October 2024.
Chili's Parent Brinker Sued by Beastie Boys and Universal Music Over Unauthorized "Sabotage" Social Ad
The Beastie Boys and Universal Music sued Chili's parent company for using "Sabotage" without permission in a social media ad that recreated the song's iconic music video to promote the restaurant chain. The case settled in May 2025.
Crumbl Cookies Sued by Warner Music for Up to $24 Million Over 159 Songs in Promotional TikTok Videos
Warner Music sued the cookie chain for using unlicensed recordings by Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa as background music across product videos on TikTok and Instagram, continuing even after a cease-and-desist was issued.
'Crazy in Love' with DSW shoes? Just don't use Beyonce without permission, labels say in lawsuit
Multiple major record companies have filed at least two lawsuits against DSW Shoe Warehouse and its parent company, accusing them of violating copyrights by using popular music in Instagram and TikTok posts produced by the company and paid influencers.
Sony Music sues Gymshark for misusing 'hundreds' of songs in ads
Sony Music accused British fitness apparel startup Gymshark of infringing its copyrights by misusing music from some of its most popular artists -- including Beyonce, Britney Spears, Travis Scott, and Harry Styles
DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse Accused by Warner Music of 200+ Unlicensed Posts in $30 Million Lawsuit
Warner Music sued the footwear retailer for using songs by Cardi B and Bruno Mars in over 200 promotional TikTok and Instagram posts and paid influencer campaigns without obtaining a license.
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and SportsGrid Sued for Up to $150,000 Each Over a Single Use of the Space Jam Theme
Watson Music Group sued the Minor League Baseball team and sports betting company for using the Quad City DJ's Space Jam theme in a single social media video without a license.
Iconic London Sued by Warner Music Affiliates for Up to $24.75 Million Over Influencer Videos
Warner Music accused the UK beauty brand of using 165 unlicensed songs by Dua Lipa and Ariana Grande as backing tracks across hundreds of influencer promotional videos on Instagram and TikTok.
OFRA Cosmetics Sued by Sony Music for Up to $50 Million Over 329 Unlicensed Social Media Posts
Sony Music sued the beauty brand for using unlicensed recordings by Britney Spears and Harry Styles as backing music across 329 product demonstration and influencer videos on Instagram and TikTok.
Bang Energy Hit With Universal Music Group Lawsuit Over Unlicensed TikTok Ads
Universal Music Group sued the energy drink brand for using songs by Megan Thee Stallion and Billie Eilish in over 140 paid TikTok promotional videos without a license. A US federal court ruled Bang Energy directly liable for copyright infringement.
Marriott Hotels Sued by Sony Music for Up to $140 Million Over Rampant Infringement Across 931 Social Posts
Sony Music sued the hotel giant for using unlicensed recordings by Beyoncé and Michael Jackson across 931 Instagram and TikTok posts published by its hotel brands and paid influencers. The case settled confidentially in October 2024.
Chili's Parent Brinker Sued by Beastie Boys and Universal Music Over Unauthorized "Sabotage" Social Ad
The Beastie Boys and Universal Music sued Chili's parent company for using "Sabotage" without permission in a social media ad that recreated the song's iconic music video to promote the restaurant chain. The case settled in May 2025.
Crumbl Cookies Sued by Warner Music for Up to $24 Million Over 159 Songs in Promotional TikTok Videos
Warner Music sued the cookie chain for using unlicensed recordings by Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa as background music across product videos on TikTok and Instagram, continuing even after a cease-and-desist was issued.
'Crazy in Love' with DSW shoes? Just don't use Beyonce without permission, labels say in lawsuit
Multiple major record companies have filed at least two lawsuits against DSW Shoe Warehouse and its parent company, accusing them of violating copyrights by using popular music in Instagram and TikTok posts produced by the company and paid influencers.
Sony Music sues Gymshark for misusing 'hundreds' of songs in ads
Sony Music accused British fitness apparel startup Gymshark of infringing its copyrights by misusing music from some of its most popular artists -- including Beyonce, Britney Spears, Travis Scott, and Harry Styles
DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse Accused by Warner Music of 200+ Unlicensed Posts in $30 Million Lawsuit
Warner Music sued the footwear retailer for using songs by Cardi B and Bruno Mars in over 200 promotional TikTok and Instagram posts and paid influencer campaigns without obtaining a license.
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and SportsGrid Sued for Up to $150,000 Each Over a Single Use of the Space Jam Theme
Watson Music Group sued the Minor League Baseball team and sports betting company for using the Quad City DJ's Space Jam theme in a single social media video without a license.
Iconic London Sued by Warner Music Affiliates for Up to $24.75 Million Over Influencer Videos
Warner Music accused the UK beauty brand of using 165 unlicensed songs by Dua Lipa and Ariana Grande as backing tracks across hundreds of influencer promotional videos on Instagram and TikTok.
OFRA Cosmetics Sued by Sony Music for Up to $50 Million Over 329 Unlicensed Social Media Posts
Sony Music sued the beauty brand for using unlicensed recordings by Britney Spears and Harry Styles as backing music across 329 product demonstration and influencer videos on Instagram and TikTok.
Bang Energy Hit With Universal Music Group Lawsuit Over Unlicensed TikTok Ads
Universal Music Group sued the energy drink brand for using songs by Megan Thee Stallion and Billie Eilish in over 140 paid TikTok promotional videos without a license. A US federal court ruled Bang Energy directly liable for copyright infringement.
Marriott Hotels Sued by Sony Music for Up to $140 Million Over Rampant Infringement Across 931 Social Posts
Sony Music sued the hotel giant for using unlicensed recordings by Beyoncé and Michael Jackson across 931 Instagram and TikTok posts published by its hotel brands and paid influencers. The case settled confidentially in October 2024.
Chili's Parent Brinker Sued by Beastie Boys and Universal Music Over Unauthorized "Sabotage" Social Ad
The Beastie Boys and Universal Music sued Chili's parent company for using "Sabotage" without permission in a social media ad that recreated the song's iconic music video to promote the restaurant chain. The case settled in May 2025.
Crumbl Cookies Sued by Warner Music for Up to $24 Million Over 159 Songs in Promotional TikTok Videos
Warner Music sued the cookie chain for using unlicensed recordings by Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa as background music across product videos on TikTok and Instagram, continuing even after a cease-and-desist was issued.
'Crazy in Love' with DSW shoes? Just don't use Beyonce without permission, labels say in lawsuit
Multiple major record companies have filed at least two lawsuits against DSW Shoe Warehouse and its parent company, accusing them of violating copyrights by using popular music in Instagram and TikTok posts produced by the company and paid influencers.
Sony Music sues Gymshark for misusing 'hundreds' of songs in ads
Sony Music accused British fitness apparel startup Gymshark of infringing its copyrights by misusing music from some of its most popular artists -- including Beyonce, Britney Spears, Travis Scott, and Harry Styles
DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse Accused by Warner Music of 200+ Unlicensed Posts in $30 Million Lawsuit
Warner Music sued the footwear retailer for using songs by Cardi B and Bruno Mars in over 200 promotional TikTok and Instagram posts and paid influencer campaigns without obtaining a license.
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and SportsGrid Sued for Up to $150,000 Each Over a Single Use of the Space Jam Theme
Watson Music Group sued the Minor League Baseball team and sports betting company for using the Quad City DJ's Space Jam theme in a single social media video without a license.
Iconic London Sued by Warner Music Affiliates for Up to $24.75 Million Over Influencer Videos
Warner Music accused the UK beauty brand of using 165 unlicensed songs by Dua Lipa and Ariana Grande as backing tracks across hundreds of influencer promotional videos on Instagram and TikTok.
OFRA Cosmetics Sued by Sony Music for Up to $50 Million Over 329 Unlicensed Social Media Posts
Sony Music sued the beauty brand for using unlicensed recordings by Britney Spears and Harry Styles as backing music across 329 product demonstration and influencer videos on Instagram and TikTok.
Bang Energy Hit With Universal Music Group Lawsuit Over Unlicensed TikTok Ads
Universal Music Group sued the energy drink brand for using songs by Megan Thee Stallion and Billie Eilish in over 140 paid TikTok promotional videos without a license. A US federal court ruled Bang Energy directly liable for copyright infringement.
Marriott Hotels Sued by Sony Music for Up to $140 Million Over Rampant Infringement Across 931 Social Posts
Sony Music sued the hotel giant for using unlicensed recordings by Beyoncé and Michael Jackson across 931 Instagram and TikTok posts published by its hotel brands and paid influencers. The case settled confidentially in October 2024.
Chili's Parent Brinker Sued by Beastie Boys and Universal Music Over Unauthorized "Sabotage" Social Ad
The Beastie Boys and Universal Music sued Chili's parent company for using "Sabotage" without permission in a social media ad that recreated the song's iconic music video to promote the restaurant chain. The case settled in May 2025.
Crumbl Cookies Sued by Warner Music for Up to $24 Million Over 159 Songs in Promotional TikTok Videos
Warner Music sued the cookie chain for using unlicensed recordings by Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa as background music across product videos on TikTok and Instagram, continuing even after a cease-and-desist was issued.
'Crazy in Love' with DSW shoes? Just don't use Beyonce without permission, labels say in lawsuit
Multiple major record companies have filed at least two lawsuits against DSW Shoe Warehouse and its parent company, accusing them of violating copyrights by using popular music in Instagram and TikTok posts produced by the company and paid influencers.
If Your Brand Posts Content With Music, You’re At Risk.
Fashion & Beauty:
Influencer hauls, tutorials, and runway reels are prime targets. We audit every post so your next campaign doesn’t become your next lawsuit.
Food & Beverage:
Recipe videos and brand campaigns go viral fast — and so do the copyright claims. We check every piece of content before a label’s lawyers do.
Sports & Entertainment:
Hype clips, athlete promos, and matchday content use music constantly. Even stadium background noise in social uploads carries massive risk, as the NBA recently discovered. We make sure every track is cleared.
Travel & Hospitality:
Property tours, destination reels, and influencer getaways rely heavily on trending audio. With major hotel chains already facing nine-figure copyright lawsuits, we monitor your profiles so you stay protected.
Media & News:
Publishing at scale means thousands of posts with potential violations. We monitor it all so you stay compliant.
Retail & E-commerce:
Product videos, sponsored posts, and seasonal campaigns are heavily scrutinized. One overlooked track can mean six figures in damages. We scan your campaigns to remove the liability.
1
Brand Profile Audit
We Scan Your Profiles. You Get A Clear Report.
The average brand has 63 copyright violations sitting on TikTok alone. Our team runs a full historical audit of your social profiles across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and X. You get a detailed report showing every violation, the risk level, and exactly what to do about it. There is no software to learn and no dashboards to check because we handle the entire process.
Hundreds Of Creators. Thousands Of Posts. We Check Every Single One.
Your influencers choose the music, but your brand carries the legal risk. Our team scans every influencer post tied to your campaigns and flags music copyright violations within hours. You receive briefing documents, risk assessments, and recommended best practices to share directly with your creators.
“We tried to do this manually and it was taking months with a lot of mistakes. The team at Copyright Check AI made the whole process simple and saved us $21M in a potential legal headache.”
Robert F.In House Legal Counsel Worldwide Fashion Brand*
*name of brand removed for confidentiality reasons
$21M
Potential Cost of Lawsuit
142
Number of violations
The Numbers Your Legal Team Needs To See.
63 violations — The average on a single brand’s TikTok account.
$150,000
Potential damages per violation. One post. One song. Six figures.
$10,000,000
Most brands don't know their exposure. Marriott learned theirs in court. ($140M.)
Discover your risk and speak to one of our experts.
600,000 Post Beauty Brand Audit Across Six Platforms
450Accounts
600,000+No. Posts
All Social Media Platforms Copyright Auditing
Our service works across all social media platforms
How We Remove Your Risk a done for you service…
1
Highlight Violations
Our expert team will investigate your profile using in-house proprietary AI software to highlight any violations.
2
Deliver A Report
We will share a report and create a complete profile review with links to high risk videos that need attention. All on a simple to use spreadsheet.
3
Ongoing Monitoring
We can track your profiles for any new violations, including influencer collabs that could be putting you at risk.
Do You Have Questions?
Well, we've got answers
How much could one copyright violation actually cost my brand?
Up to $150,000 per violation. No brand is immune. King Khan sued Fenty Beauty for using the track “Good Chemistry” in an Instagram post. Watson Music Group recently sued multiple companies for $150,000 each just for using the Space Jam theme in a single video. This isn’t theoretical. It’s happening now.
Is Copyright Infringement An Issue On Social Media?
Yes, copyright infringement on social media is a significant and growing issue. Music rights holders actively monitor platforms like TikTok and Instagram for unauthorised use of their catalogues.
We don’t think we use that much music. Is this really a risk for us?
The average brand has 63 violations they don’t know about. Background music in a lifestyle clip counts. A trending sound your influencer used counts. That’s what our audit uncovers.
Can’t our legal or social team handle this?
Not at scale. One client tried manually – it took months with significant errors. Our AI-powered service catches violations within hours across every platform, automatically.
How does Copyright Check AI actually work?
We do everything for you. Our team runs a full audit, delivers a detailed report, and monitors ongoing. You don’t log into a tool – you get a dedicated team.
What does it cost?
A fraction of what one lawsuit would. Book a call and we’ll walk you through pricing. Most clients see it as insurance, not overhead.
How quickly can we get started?
We can run your first audit within hours, no logins or security checks needed. Book a call or email hello@copyrightcheck.ai
*Company and individual names have been edited to ensure confidentiality.
Sarah J.General Counsel - US Retail Chain
"We had no idea how much unlicensed music was sitting across our social channels until CopyrightCheck AI ran the audit. The exposure was significant. Finding it before a rights holder did was the best legal decision we made that year."
James F.Chief Marketing Officer - Global Beauty Brand
"Our social output is enormous and growing every month. The idea that we could have reviewed it manually for copyright compliance was never realistic. CopyrightCheck AI gave us a clean bill of health across our entire content estate in a timeframe that genuinely surprised us."
Nick P.Legal Counsel - Publicly Listed Fashion Group
They gave us a full evidence package that our legal team could act on immediately, saving us months of internal work.
Rachel M.Head of Brand & Marketing - International Hospitality Group
"We assumed copyright enforcement was a music industry or fashion problem. It is not. CopyrightCheck AI identified liability across our channels that we had been carrying for years without knowing. The audit paid for itself many times over."
Sarah J.General Counsel - US Retail Chain
"We had no idea how much unlicensed music was sitting across our social channels until CopyrightCheck AI ran the audit. The exposure was significant. Finding it before a rights holder did was the best legal decision we made that year."
James F.Chief Marketing Officer - Global Beauty Brand
"Our social output is enormous and growing every month. The idea that we could have reviewed it manually for copyright compliance was never realistic. CopyrightCheck AI gave us a clean bill of health across our entire content estate in a timeframe that genuinely surprised us."
Nick P.Legal Counsel - Publicly Listed Fashion Group
They gave us a full evidence package that our legal team could act on immediately, saving us months of internal work.
Rachel M.Head of Brand & Marketing - International Hospitality Group
"We assumed copyright enforcement was a music industry or fashion problem. It is not. CopyrightCheck AI identified liability across our channels that we had been carrying for years without knowing. The audit paid for itself many times over."
Daniel K.VP of Legal Affairs - Global Logistics Company
"I would not have predicted that a logistics brand would carry meaningful music copyright exposure. The audit proved otherwise. The report was clear, the liability was real, and we were able to act on it before it became someone else's claim."
Priya S.Head of Compliance - Publicly Listed FMCG Brand
"Compliance across a portfolio of brands at our scale requires automation. There is no other way. CopyrightCheck AI handled a volume of content that would have taken our internal team the better part of a year, and delivered findings our legal team could work from immediately."
Tom W.Director of Marketing - European Sportswear Brand
"We run a large influencer programme and had never formally assessed the copyright risk sitting inside it. CopyrightCheck AI audited our influencer content alongside our owned channels and surfaced exposure we had no visibility of. That is now a permanent part of how we operate."
Claire B.Senior Legal Counsel - Global Entertainment Company
"You would expect an entertainment brand to have its copyright house in order. The reality is that social content moves faster than any compliance function can track manually. CopyrightCheck AI closed that gap and gave us something we had never had before, a complete and current view of our exposure."
Daniel K.VP of Legal Affairs - Global Logistics Company
"I would not have predicted that a logistics brand would carry meaningful music copyright exposure. The audit proved otherwise. The report was clear, the liability was real, and we were able to act on it before it became someone else's claim."
Priya S.Head of Compliance - Publicly Listed FMCG Brand
"Compliance across a portfolio of brands at our scale requires automation. There is no other way. CopyrightCheck AI handled a volume of content that would have taken our internal team the better part of a year, and delivered findings our legal team could work from immediately."
Tom W.Director of Marketing - European Sportswear Brand
"We run a large influencer programme and had never formally assessed the copyright risk sitting inside it. CopyrightCheck AI audited our influencer content alongside our owned channels and surfaced exposure we had no visibility of. That is now a permanent part of how we operate."
Claire B.Senior Legal Counsel - Global Entertainment Company
"You would expect an entertainment brand to have its copyright house in order. The reality is that social content moves faster than any compliance function can track manually. CopyrightCheck AI closed that gap and gave us something we had never had before, a complete and current view of our exposure."
Get your free risk assessment
Chat with our team and get your free health check to understand the current risk of your social profiles and influencer campaigns.
Book a call
