Warner Music Group Sues Bang Energy Drink for Copyright Infringement on Social Media
Warner Music just recently submitted the complaint to a Florida federal court, naming as defendants Weston-headquartered Vital Pharmaceuticals (which operates as Bang Energy) as well as Bang owner, CEO, and chief scientific officer Jack Owoc.
Universal Music Group (UMG) was the first major label to take Bang Energy to court for alleged copyright infringement in TikTok videos, and this April of 2021 action was followed by an August of 2021 complaint from Sony Music Entertainment (SME).
And as reiterated in Warner Music’s 20-page filing, UMG and SME have been awarded partial summary judgement victories in their respective legal battles with Bang; social media platforms’ various blanket licenses don’t extend to promotional spots uploaded by brands or to adjacent marketing videos for which influencers are compensated.
