Eminem's Publisher Sues Facebook For Copyright Infringement

Eminem's publishing company, Eight Mile Style, is suing Facebook, claiming that Facebook copied the music from Eminem's song "Under the Influence" for an advertisement. The ad in question was for Facebook Home, their new mobile software for Android. The ad "Airplane," created by the Wieden + Kennedy ad agency, came out in early April. It was soon taken offline and put back up with similar music that was modified to sound different than the Eminem song's exact melody.

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Eight Mile Style has taken this move as an admittance of guilt. Strangely, Wieden + Kennedy is accused of using the "Under the Influence" rip-off as a means of gaining the favor of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who is a known Eminem fan. According to Rolling Stone, Wieden + Kennedy's attorney Guy Cohen dismisses all claims of copyright infringement, saying that "Under the Influence" was itself stolen from Michael Jackson's "Give In to Me." They claim that this means they would be exempt from any copyright infringement themselves. Eight Mile Style is adamant however, that the song was written solely by Eminem and D12, his group.

Cohen also claims that Eminem's producer, Dr. Dre, has a long history of copyright infringement. This however, does not seem to matter, as "Under the Influence" was produced by the Bass Brothers, who produced much of Eminem's music.

Eminem has previously sued and won copyright infringement cases against Apple and Audi for improper use of his music in their advertisements. Strangely, Wieden + Kennedy has worked with Eight Mile Style successfully before on a Chrysler advertisement during the 2011 Superbowl. Let's hope this doesn't sour future deals for them.