Image credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/GI

The lawsuit from Eight Mile Style serves as a crucial lesson for brands and creators.

In 2025, copyright infringement disputes often center around AI companies for unlicensed music use and reproduction in its training models. However, a recent lawsuit has put Eminem’s iconic hit “Lose Yourself” at the heart of a legal battle- this time against a Michigan car dealership.

Why are they taking legal action?

Eight Mile Style, the company that partially owns Eminem’s catalog, has filed a lawsuit against LaFontaine Ford St. Clair. The dealership used “Lose Yourself” in promotional videos posted on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook last autumn without securing the necessary licenses. Referencing the track, the videos urged customers they had “just one shot” to get themselves a special limited edition “Detroit Lions 2024 PowerBoost Hybrid F-150”.

The lawsuit accuses the dealership of showing a “blatant disregard” for Eminem’s copyright. Crucially, the Oscar-winning hit holds immense value in commercial licensing- having been featured in a 2011 Chrysler Super Bowl ad that helped drive millions in sales. Eight Mile Style argues that this unauthorised use only diminishes the track’s worth for potential future advertising deals.

As a result, the company is seeking undisclosed monetary damages, and has demanded the immediate removal of the dealership’s promotional content.

A lesson for brands and creators

Social media has become an essential marketing tool for brands, artists, and creators, but it also comes with strict copyright regulations that many overlook.

Each platform, from TikTok to Instagram, has its own licensing agreements with the music industry, allowing access to a library of audio clips. However, these licenses only apply to user-generated content- not commercial brand promotions.

How to avoid copyright infringement in social media marketing

If brands or marketing agencies want to incorporate music into their content legally, they have two main options:

  1. Use platform-approved commercial music libraries: Platforms like TikTok offer specific libraries for brand use, which are separate from standard-user generated content music options.
  2. Negotiate sync licensing deals: Brands can obtain proper authorisation by securing sync licensing directly from record labels and music publishers.

A major pitfall occurs when brands repurpose content across platforms. Even if a song is available on TikTok’s Commercial Music Library, that license doesn’t extend to other platforms. This is a common mistake made by businesses when launching campaigns.

The takeaway: Respect the rights of music creators

While this lawsuit is an unfortunate situation for a dealership just 40 miles from Eminem’s hometown of Detroit, it serves as an important lesson. Social media makes musical content more accessible than ever, but copyright laws still exist to protect music creators.

For brands looking to leverage music in marketing, due diligence is key. Always ensure proper licensing is in place to avoid legal trouble and respect the value of the music industry.