Sony Music ends US legal battle with Marriott over song use in ads

A lawsuit filed by Sony Music in Delaware against hotel chain Marriott International accusing the hotel operator of misusing hundreds of its songs in advertisements on social media platforms has been dropped.

Marriott and Sony Music said in a joint filing with the court that they would end the case with prejudice, which means it cannot be refiled.

Sony Music filed the lawsuit against Marriott International in May 2024, accusing the hotel giant of widespread copyright infringement. The complaint alleged that Marriott (MAR) used Sony’s music without permission in 931 social media posts, including content from popular artists like Beyoncé, Harry Styles, and Michael Jackson. Sony claims that Marriott’s use of these songs was deliberate, aiming to boost engagement on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The lawsuit was seeking damages that could potentially reach $140 million under U.S. copyright law. Sony asserted that it had notified Marriott (MAR) of the infringements since 2020, but the hotel chain failed to address the issue adequately.

Sony Music is under the Sony Group umbrella of businesses. Seeking Alpha