A number of NBA teams are facing lawsuits from music publishing companies claiming they have used music in social media videos without permission.
In total, 14 teams were named in separate copyright lawsuits by publishers such as Kobalt Music, APG, Notting Hill Music and others, alleging that they "willfully infringed" on copyright laws by using music in promotional videos to “increase viewership” and “engage its fanbase" across platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, X (aka Twitter), Facebook and NBA.com. Many of the videos have since been removed.
The plaintiffs are seeking sizable damages for "alleged direct, contributory, and vicarious infringement" for the use of music by artists such as Dua Lipa, Charli XCXC and mgk (aka Machine Gun Kelly).
Billboard notes that some teams used songs by artists based on hometown connections, such as the New York Knicks featuring music by Jay-Z and Cardi B, the Philadelphia 76ers using Meek Mill, and the Atlanta Hawks using OutKast and Migos.
The remaining teams named in the lawsuits are Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs. Canada's only team, Toronto Raptors, were not named in the suit.
Billboard adds, "the overarching allegation was the same – that a sophisticated corporate entity had stolen music that it knew it was supposed to pay for."
In the suit, lawyers for the plaintiffs state, “Defendants are acutely aware of the protections that the copyright laws of the United States afford. [The team] utilizes the full extent of legal protections available for its own intellectual property while simultaneously knowingly and willfully infringing on the intellectual property rights of the plaintiffs.”