October 9, 2024 — Sony Music Entertainment has reportedly settled its copyright infringement lawsuit against hotel giant Marriott International, just five months after filing the case. In a joint filing submitted to a federal court in Maryland on October 8, both parties requested that the case be dismissed “with prejudice,” indicating that it cannot be refiled in the future.
While court documents did not provide specifics about the terms of the settlement, the swift resolution suggests that both companies reached an agreement outside of court. The lawsuit was originally filed in May 2024 by Sony Music and its affiliated labels, including Sony Music Latin, Arista Music, LaFace Records, and Rimas Entertainment, which is home to the popular artist Bad Bunny.
The lawsuit accused Marriott of “rampant” copyright infringement across its social media platforms, alleging that the hotel chain had unauthorizedly used Sony’s music in 931 instances. According to Sony’s legal team, these infringements spanned various properties owned, managed, or franchised by Marriott, raising concerns that the violations extended beyond just Sony’s catalog.
Under U.S. copyright law, the high number of alleged infringements could have exposed Marriott to approximately $140 million in statutory damages if the case had gone to trial. This case highlights the ongoing challenges businesses face regarding copyright compliance, especially in the age of social media, where the use of music in marketing content has become increasingly prevalent.
Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel chain by number of rooms, operates a vast portfolio of brands, including Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, Ritz-Carlton, and Le Meridien. The settlement could prompt the company to reassess its social media strategies and ensure that future marketing efforts comply with copyright laws.
As the music industry continues to take a firm stance against unauthorized use of its content, this case may serve as a warning to other businesses about the potential legal and financial repercussions of copyright infringement. Moving forward, brands may need to invest more resources in securing proper licensing agreements to avoid similar disputes and foster better relationships with music rights holders.