Beastie Boys Resolve Dispute with Chili’s over Unauthorized ‘Sabotage’ Ad Utilisation
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The Beastie Boys and Universal Music Group have come to an agreement with Chili’s parent company following a legal battle regarding the unauthorised use of the iconic track ‘Sabotage’ in one of their adverts. The band, consisting of Michael Diamond, Adam Horovitz, and the late Adam Yauch, reached a settlement with Brinker International, Chili’s parent company, this month, as revealed in court documents obtained by PEOPLE. The group had accused Chili’s of using their song and music video likeness without consent in a commercial that aired in November 2022.
Although the exact terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, both parties have agreed to resolve the matter outside of court. Brinker International has been given until July 7 to file for a dismissal. In response to inquiries, neither the Beastie Boys nor Brinker International provided an immediate comment on the resolution. The lawsuit was initially filed in July 2024, citing copyright infringement for using ‘Sabotage’ without permission and allegedly replicating elements of the music video directed by Spike Jonze.
The commercial in question featured characters sporting ’70s-style wigs, fake mustaches, and sunglasses, reminiscent of the Beastie Boys members in the original music video. The band asserted that this unauthorised use infringed upon their ownership rights of the song, registered with the United States Copyright Office. The lawsuit underscored that the group does not permit their intellectual property, including ‘Sabotage,’ to be used in third-party advertising, a sentiment echoed in Adam Yauch’s will, who explicitly prohibited any commercial use of his artistic creations.
Yauch, who passed away in 2012, included stipulations in his will to prevent the exploitation of his image, name, music, or any artistic property for promotional purposes, as reported by the Associated Press. Seeking at least $150,000 for the unauthorised infringement, the Beastie Boys took a firm stance against the unapproved use of their music and vowed to pursue legal action if necessary. This commitment to protecting their artistic integrity led to a successful lawsuit against the makers of Monster Energy drink in 2014, resulting in a $1.7 million settlement for unauthorised song use.
The Beastie Boys have consistently maintained their stance against licensing their music for commercial purposes and remain vigilant in safeguarding their creative output from exploitation. Their unwavering dedication to preserving the integrity of their artistry serves as a testament to their commitment to artistic authenticity and respect for intellectual property rights. The recent settlement with Chili’s underscores the band’s resolve to defend their music against unauthorised commercial use, reinforcing their reputation as stalwart defenders of artistic integrity.
The resolution of this legal dispute marks a victory for the Beastie Boys and adds to their legacy of standing up for creative autonomy in the face of commercial exploitation. The band’s principled stance against unauthorised use of their music serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting artists’ rights and upholding the integrity of their artistic expressions. As the music industry continues to grapple with issues of copyright infringement and intellectual property rights, the Beastie Boys’ successful resolution with Chili’s sets a precedent for artists defending their creative works from unauthorised exploitation.