Universal Music Group (UMG) has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Brinker International, the parent company of Chili's, over unauthorized use of protected music in social media promotional content. This legal action follows an ongoing dispute with the Beastie Boys over similar allegations.

Key Details of the Lawsuit:

• UMG claims Brinker used numerous copyrighted songs without permission in social media promotions
• Affected artists include Justin Bieber, ABBA, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, and Frank Sinatra
• The alleged infringement occurred primarily on TikTok and Instagram
• Brinker reportedly lacks effective copyright compliance procedures for social media content

Important Context:

• The case was filed in Texas federal court
• Some content in question has already been deleted from social platforms
• Brinker previously obtained licenses for some videos but allegedly exceeded usage limits
• This lawsuit runs parallel to another copyright dispute with the Beastie Boys over unauthorized use of "Sabotage"

UMG's Legal Demands:

• Damages for vicarious and contributory infringement
• Permanent injunction against further infringement
• Additional violations may be revealed during discovery

Financial Impact: Despite the legal challenges, Brinker International's stock (NYSE: EAT) has shown significant growth, up 97% since early 2024 and 178% since October 2023, though it experienced a 2% decline to $82.96 following the lawsuit announcement.

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