The iconic hip-hop group Beastie Boys has filed a lawsuit against the parent company of Chili’s, alleging that the restaurant chain used their hit song “Sabotage” in advertisements without permission.
According to court documents obtained by Rolling Stone, the band is seeking at least $150,000 in damages from Brinker International, the owner of Chili’s. The lawsuit claims that the company used the song in a commercial for their “Chili’s Chicken Crispers” without obtaining a license or permission from the band.
The lawsuit also states that the commercial, which aired in January 2021, featured a “soundalike” version of “Sabotage” that was “virtually indistinguishable” from the original recording. The band’s legal team argues that this use of their song without permission is a violation of their copyright and trademark rights.
Beastie Boys, known for their pioneering blend of hip-hop and punk rock, released “Sabotage” in 1994 as the first single from their fourth studio album, Ill Communication. The song became a massive hit, reaching number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance.
The band has a long-standing policy against the use of their music in advertisements, and this is not the first time they have taken legal action against companies for unauthorized use. In 2018, they settled a similar lawsuit with Monster Energy Drink for using their songs in a promotional video without permission.
Beastie Boys’ surviving members, Michael “Mike D” Diamond and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz, have been vocal about their stance on commercial use of their music, stating in a 2018 interview with GQ, “We don’t license our songs for products and we don’t let our music be used in commercials. That’s not what we’re about.”
The lawsuit against Chili’s and Brinker International is ongoing, and the band’s legal team has requested a jury trial. In addition to seeking damages, they are also asking for an injunction to prevent the company from using their music in future advertisements without permission.
This lawsuit serves as a reminder of the importance of obtaining proper licenses and permissions when using copyrighted material in advertisements. As the music industry continues to evolve and artists fight for control over their work, it is crucial for companies to respect and adhere to copyright laws.
