The Crumbl copyright lawsuit is a major legal dispute filed by Warner Music Group (WMG) against the popular cookie chain Crumbl Cookies in 2025. The lawsuit accuses Crumbl of willful and repeated unauthorized use of copyrighted music owned by Warner and its affiliated labels in its social media marketing campaigns, particularly on TikTok and Instagram. Crumbl, which has grown rapidly since its founding in 2017 and employs an aggressive social media strategy, allegedly used dozens of hit songs from top artists without proper licensing, exposing the company to potential statutory damages nearing $24 million.
Crumbl Copyright Lawsuit: Background and Allegations
Warner Music Group filed the lawsuit in a Utah federal court in April 2025, detailing that Crumbl used at least 159 copyrighted sound recordings and musical compositions in promotional videos posted to its TikTok and Instagram accounts. These tracks include works by high-profile artists such as Taylor Swift, Lizzo, Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, Bruno Mars, Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, and BTS, among others. Warner alleges that these creative works were exploited without any authorization or compensation, enabling Crumbl to build its brand presence and drive sales using popular music as a key promotional tool.
The lawsuit further contends that Crumbl was aware of the copyright violations, as the company continued using the music even months after receiving cease-and-desist notices from Warner in August 2023. It references a Crumbl TikTok video from January 2024, in which the company’s social media team mentions instructions from their legal department prohibiting the use of trending audios, signaling acknowledgment of the infringement concerns.
Scope of Infringement and Legal Claims
- The lawsuit enumerates 286 instances of infringing videos that use Warner’s recordings, synchronized precisely to key portions like hooks and choruses, often running for the full video duration.
- Claims include willful copyright infringement and demand statutory damages of up to $150,000 per unauthorized work, leading to a total potential penalty of nearly $24 million.
- WMG seeks a permanent court injunction preventing Crumbl from further unauthorized use of its copyrighted music in promotional materials.
- The complaint also highlights Crumbl’s collaborations with social media influencers who created infringing content while receiving perks and incentives, raising questions about the brand’s control and responsibility over user-generated promotional materials.
Impact on Crumbl and Industry Context
Crumbl is a fast-growing dessert franchise with more than 1,000 locations globally, known for its rotating cookie menu and substantial social media following—over 9.8 million followers on TikTok and 6.1 million on Instagram. Its marketing heavily relies on engaging videos paired with trending and popular music, which have been crucial in building consumer engagement and brand recognition. However, this lawsuit exposes the risks of leveraging copyrighted music without securing proper licenses, especially in an era where digital content enforcement by rights holders is intensifying.
The case is also emblematic of a wider trend involving the music industry’s crackdown on unauthorized music use across corporate social media accounts. Several other companies in the restaurant and hospitality sectors have faced similar lawsuits or settlements in recent years for unlicensed use of copyrighted songs in digital advertising.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Crumbl Copyright Lawsuit
What is the Crumbl copyright lawsuit about?
Warner Music Group sued Crumbl Cookies for using at least 159 copyrighted music tracks from its artists without authorization in Crumbl’s social media marketing videos, seeking damages and an injunction.
Which artists’ music was used without permission?
The lawsuit names music from Taylor Swift, Lizzo, Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, Bruno Mars, Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, BTS, and others.
What damages is Warner Music seeking?
Warner is seeking up to $150,000 in statutory damages per infringed work, totaling nearly $24 million if maximum penalties are awarded for all cited infringements.
Has Crumbl responded to the lawsuit?
As of August 2025, Crumbl has not issued a detailed public statement responding to the allegations. The company is reportedly exploring strategic options, including a potential sale reportedly valued at around $2 billion.
Are there broader implications for businesses using music in marketing?
Yes. This case highlights the growing scrutiny and legal risks for companies that feature copyrighted music in social media promotions without proper licenses, particularly as music rights holders become more assertive in protecting their works.
Conclusion
The Crumbl copyright lawsuit filed by Warner Music Group represents a significant legal challenge for the popular cookie chain as it faces potential multimillion-dollar penalties for unauthorized use of copyrighted music in its digital marketing. The case underscores the critical importance of securing proper music licenses in corporate social media content and the growing enforcement actions by the music industry against copyright infringement in the digital age. As Crumbl navigates this litigation amid its rapid expansion, the outcome may set important precedents for marketing practices and intellectual property enforcement in social media advertising across industries.
