Twitter Sued For Over $250 Million Lawsuit Due To Music Copyright Violation

Quite a few music publishers sued Twitter for more than $250 million in damages for violating music copyright rules. The social media platform is alleged to, “breeds massive copyright infringement that harms music creators.” According to the lawsuit obtained by Music Business Worldwide, many music companies are seeking “up to $150,000 per work infringed” for roughly 1,700 pieces of music. Music companies claimed that other social media platforms have some licensed agreement to allow users to use pieces of their works but Twitter hasn’t done anything of that sort by far.

The introduction of the lawsuit reads, “There is a vibrant existing market for social media companies to pay fees for the use of musical compositions.” And it goes on as this, “Social media companies behind such well-known platforms as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat have entered into agreements with Publishers and other rights holders that compensate creators of musical compositions for use of their works on those platforms.”

“There are also dynamic existing markets for individuals to receive streams and downloads of music, including recordings embodying Publishers’ musical compositions, outside the context of social media. Twitter’s conduct complained of herein harms these legitimate markets, thereby depriving Publishers and their songwriters of hard-earned, deserved income from their creative endeavors,” claimed the lawsuit.

“Twitter profits handsomely from its infringement of Publishers’ repertoires of musical compositions. The audio and audio-visual recordings embodying those compositions attract and retain users (both account holders and visitors) and drive engagement, thereby furthering Twitter’s lucrative advertising business and other revenue streams.” Being out of their approved agreement Twitter is still using music to drive then users for popularity and engagement of the platform.

Twitter didn’t respond immediately to these allegations but later on, Musk twitted, “Current copyright law in general goes absurdly far beyond protecting the original creator,” he continued, “Overzealous DMCA is a plague on humanity.” The lawsuit sum of $250 million will go to the royalties lost from songwriters, singers, and not just the publishing company. Along with that, the boards and the lawyers will also get their deserved portion of this money.

The lawsuit is currently under investigation by the US government. They are going to look for violations of privacy and security agreement with the Federal Trade Commission. The lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

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