Universal Music Group (UMG) is suing Brinker International, owner of the Chili’s restaurant chain, for alleged copyright infringement in social media advertisements. 

According to Music Business Worldwide, the lawsuit, filed on October 8 in a federal court in Dallas, claims Brinker failed to pay for music used in Chili’s social media ads across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

The complaint alleges 80 total infringements, including 38 recording copyright violations and 42 publishing copyright violations. Under U.S. copyright law, these infringements could result in up to $12 million in statutory damages.

UMG’s lawsuit cites violations involving songs by high-profile artists such as ABBA, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, Shania Twain, and the Spice Girls. It also mentions alleged recording copyright violations for tracks by The Weeknd and Lana Del Rey and a publishing copyright violation for Free’s “All Right Now.”

UMG’s complaint describes the alleged infringements as “willful,” noting that Brinker International comprises “successful companies promoting multiple restaurant franchises with their own legal departments and protecting their own intellectual property interests.” 

The music group also accuses Brinker of lacking “effective procedures for ensuring that the social media content posted for their Chili’s commercial restaurant businesses does not violate others’ copyrights.”

As of mid-2024, Chili’s operates 1,214 locations across the United States and 344 internationally. Brinker reported $4.42 billion in revenue for the fiscal year ended June 26, 2024.

UMG seeks a permanent injunction to prevent Brinker’s businesses from using its music in existing or future social media posts. Damages will be determined at trial.

Earlier this year, Sony Music Entertainment also filed a lawsuit against Marriott International, one of the world’s largest hotel companies, accusing it of willful copyright infringement through the unauthorized use of music in social media posts.