In today’s competitive landscape, content creation is central to brand marketing. Whether on social media, digital ads, or web videos, brands rely heavily on music to enhance their message and connect with audiences. Unfortunately, however, this reliance often exposes companies to legal risks when music licenses are not properly secured or have expired.
The recent surge in lawsuits over unlicensed music use—some claims reaching over $140 million in statutory damages—makes it clear: music compliance is an urgent issue that brands cannot afford to ignore. With that said, read on to learn why music licensing compliance is crucial in today's digital marketing, and protect your brand from costly copyright lawsuits.
Invalid Music Licenses: A Liability for Corporations
Many corporations unknowingly find themselves in legal hot water due to invalid or expired music licenses. This often occurs when music, legally obtained for a limited time, continues to be used in perpetuity in past campaigns or is repurposed in new content. These oversights can lead to substantial legal and financial penalties, with rights holders increasingly vigilant in pursuing claims against unauthorized use.
Recent lawsuits underscore the growing risks of using unlicensed music in promotional content. APM Music sued Johnson & Johnson and the American Hockey League for unauthorized music use, while 14 NBA teams, including the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets, faced lawsuits from Kobalt Music and others for similar violations. Sony Music has also taken action, suing Marriott International and cosmetics brand OFRA for copyright infringement, while settling a case with Gymshark after accusing the fitness brand of using 297 recordings without permission. These cases highlight the financial risks of using unlicensed music, with some claims exceeding $140 million in statutory damages.
For corporations, these lawsuits represent more than just financial losses—they also threaten brand reputation. A public legal battle over intellectual property can diminish consumer trust and tarnish a company’s image, making it essential for brands to take proactive steps to avoid these risks.
The Urgent Need for Music Licensing Compliance
To protect against this growing threat, it’s essential for brands to ensure flawless music licensing in both past and future campaigns. Even a single oversight can lead to massive financial losses and irreparable reputational damage. Brands that fail to implement robust licensing protocols expose themselves to an avoidable risk.
How MatchTune Helps Corporations Stay Compliant
With the threat of lawsuits greater than ever, it begs the question: how can brands gain total compliance within their past content, as well as secure perpetual licenses for music in their upcoming content? Well, MatchTune offers a comprehensive solution to help corporations navigate the complex landscape of music licensing. Our unique service ensures perpetual, global compliance, so brands can rest easy knowing they are protected against both current and future liabilities.
For both past and future content, MatchTune provides a perpetual, global license that covers all digital uses, including social media and web advertisements. Whether it’s replacing pre-existing music in older videos or sourcing music for new campaigns, brands benefit from access to over 3 million pre-cleared tracks, curated by AI based on recent trends and contextual factors, as well as similarity patterns. This ensures that music selections are tailored to each brand’s content while avoiding the need for costly re-edits of past content.
Additionally, MatchTune’s AI technology intelligently syncs music to fit the duration and key moments of each video, ensuring seamless creative alignment in both older and newer content. This approach simplifies the music licensing process and provides brands with long-term legal security.
If you’re looking to ensure compliance in your music licensing, get in touch with us here.
Conclusion
The rising number of copyright lawsuits makes it clear that music compliance is no longer optional—it’s essential. As legal risks increase, corporations must be diligent in managing their music licenses, both for past and future content, to avoid devastating legal consequences.
MatchTune provides a simple yet powerful solution for brands looking to protect themselves from the risks associated with unlicensed music use. By ensuring perpetual compliance, we help brands stay focused on what matters most—creating engaging content—without the looming threat of costly legal battles.
With the right tools and strategies in place, brands can turn music compliance from a liability into a competitive advantage, protecting themselves from unnecessary lawsuits while still delivering memorable, music-driven marketing campaigns.
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