Sony Music ends US legal battle with Marriott over song use in ads

Oct 8 - Sony Music (6758.T) will dismiss a lawsuit that accused hotel chain Marriott (MAR.O) of misusing hundreds of its songs in advertisements on social media platforms, the companies told a Delaware federal court on Tuesday.

Marriott and Sony Music said in a joint filing that they would end the case with prejudice, which means it cannot be refiled.

A spokesperson for Marriott declined to comment on the filing. Attorneys and spokespeople for Sony Music did not immediately respond to a request for comment and more information, including whether the dispute had been settled.

According to the lawsuit, Sony Music warned Marriott starting in 2020 that social media posts on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok were using its music without permission.

The label filed a court complaint in May, arguing that Marriott and its influencer partners had misused at least 931 Sony Music songs including hits by Beyonce, Michael Jackson and Harry Styles.

Sony Music had asked the court for monetary damages and an order blocking Marriott from using its music. Marriott could have been found liable for more than $139 million in statutory infringement damages under U.S. copyright law.

Marriott did not respond to the allegations in court.

The case is Sony Music Entertainment v. Marriott International Inc, U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, No. 1:24-cv-00598.