Eminem, through his production company Eight Mile Style, has launched a $109 million lawsuit against Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Filed on May 30 in Michigan, the suit accuses Meta of infringing copyrights on 243 of the rapper’s songs. The 52-year-old artist, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, claims Meta’s features like Original Audio and Reels enable and promote the unauthorized use of his music in user-generated videos without proper credit or licensing.
The lawsuit alleges “rampant” and “knowing” infringement, asserting that Meta encourages its billions of users to exploit Eminem’s music without permission. It further argues that Meta does not qualify for Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) safe harbor protections. Eminem is seeking $150,000 per song across Meta’s three platforms, totaling $109.35 million, along with actual damages, lost profits, and a permanent injunction to stop unlicensed use. Eight Mile Style has requested a jury trial.
This isn’t Eminem’s first legal battle. In 1999, his mother, Debbie Nelson, sued him for $10 million over a lyric in “My Name Is” claiming she used drugs. The case, rooted in their strained relationship, ended in 2001 with Nelson receiving $25,000, most of which was consumed by legal fees, leaving her with $1,600. UNIGAG has contacted Meta and Eminem’s representatives for comment.