Wixen Music Publishing sues Meta for using copyrighted songs

Publisher goes nuclear on Meta, accusing it of running copyrighted music post-license while flexing platform power and chasing AI shortcuts.

Copyright fight basics

• Wixen Music Publishing sues Meta in a California federal court.
• The claim targets hundreds of songs used without permission.
• Platforms named are Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
• Dispute follows a collapsed licensing renewal.

Money and damages angle

• At least $49.65 million requested for copyright claims.
• Extra damages are tied to defamation and business disruption.
• Per-work penalties stack across more than 330 songs.
• Injunction sought to halt further usage.

What Wixen says Meta did

• Music allegedly stayed searchable after the deal lapsed.
• Tracks appeared in Reels and user-made videos.
• Clients were allegedly blamed for removals they did not cause.
• Negotiations allegedly involved heavy-handed pressure tactics.

Bigger industry implications

• Meta revenue figures tower over disputed license fees.
• Reels advertising growth gets flagged in filings.
• AI music tools raise replacement fears for songwriters.
• Case framed as a warning shot to other platforms.