Eminem’s publishing company, Eight Mile Style, has filed a lawsuit against Meta, accusing the tech giant of profiting from widespread, unlicensed use of the rapper’s music. Filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Detroit, the complaint alleges Meta distributed Eminem’s songs without proper authorization across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
According to the suit, Meta stored Eminem’s compositions on its servers and allowed users to add them to videos viewed billions of times. Eight Mile Style argues that Meta’s platform tools encourage users to reuse music from others’ posts, multiplying copyright violations. The company claims this design promotes infringement rather than preventing it.
The complaint also accuses Meta of using algorithm-driven tools—such as “For You” feeds and “Trending” sections—to boost visibility of Eminem’s music. This, they argue, amounts to global distribution without licensing.
Eight Mile Style says it warned Meta in the past, leading to the removal of some tracks. Still, many alternate versions, including karaoke, piano covers, and vocals, remained accessible and widely shared.
Other popular Eminem songs also continued circulating on Meta’s platforms. The publisher says this ongoing exposure left them no choice but to take legal action. The suit portrays Meta as knowingly profiting from creative work without compensating the rights holder.
“Meta’s prolonged exploitation of Eminem’s catalog is another instance of a trillion-dollar corporation enriching itself at the artist’s expense,” the lawsuit states.
Eight Mile Style seeks financial damages and an injunction to halt further infringement. They estimate potential statutory damages exceeding $109 million. The company also wants Meta to surrender any profits tied to unauthorized use of Eminem’s songs.
This legal battle underscores rising tensions between social media corporations and music rights holders. At the center is a question of ownership in a digital world where replication happens instantly. For Eminem and Eight Mile Style, the lawsuit marks a stand against what they see as unchecked corporate use of their intellectual property.
As platforms like Meta continue evolving, artists and publishers are increasingly demanding accountability for how creative content is monetized. The outcome of this case may set a precedent for future battles in the fight over digital music rights.
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