Music publishers sue Twitter over copyright infringement

A group of major music publishers is suing Twitter, claiming the social media platform is infringing on songwriters’ copyrights, marking the latest in several legal actions against the company since Elon Musk took the helm.

On behalf of 17 music publishers, including Sony Music Group and Universal Music Publishing Group, the National Music Publishers’ Association filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Nashville, alleging that Twitter “persistently and willfully” infringed copyright by allowing users Gives the convenience and benefits of Post music without permission.

The suit seeks statutory damages of up to $150,000 for the approximately 1,700 songs infringed, totaling approximately $250mn.

It’s the latest in a growing number of legal challenges facing Twitter under Musk. It comes weeks after the Tesla boss announced he had appointed former NBCUniversal advertising chief Linda Yacarino as his new chief executive – tasked with stabilizing the company following his tumultuous acquisition.

Rival social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube all have agreements with music publishers designed to compensate them for use of songwriters’ work on the platform.

However Twitter, which was bought by billionaire entrepreneur Musk in October for $44 billion, has failed to secure any licensing agreements with music rights holders.

“Twitter is well aware that neither it nor users of the Twitter platform have been licensed to use music at large on its platform,” the complaint, filed late Wednesday, said. It also alleged that the company either delayed or failed to remove infringing material – despite receiving thousands of formal notices by the association to do so – and failed to deter repeat infringers.

The complaints said the failures began prior to Musk’s takeover, but have worsened since he took over the reins. “Twitter’s internal affairs are in disarray with regard to matters relating to this matter,” it said.

Since the purchase, Musk has slashed Twitter’s workforce from 7,500 to about 1,500 employees as part of a cost-cutting exercise, causing internal disruption and raising concerns that many teams are being unwisely merged. has been abandoned.

Under Musk, Twitter has refused to immediately pay many of its vendors, landlords and partners in hopes of keeping costs down, angering some customers and prompting several legal challenges. The company also faces legal action from former executives, including its former chief Parag Agarwal, over unpaid legal bills.

Twitter previously explored licensing deals with Universal, Sony and Warner for late 2021, but talks stalled after Musk took over, according to an earlier New York Times report.

On Monday, Yacarino tweeted his first company communication: “We have an opportunity to reach across the aisle, forge new partnerships, celebrate new voices, and build something together to change the world.”

Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.