Eminem’s Publisher Sues Detroit Car Dealership Over Unauthorized Use of ‘Lose Yourself’ in Ads
A Metro Detroit car dealership is facing a federal lawsuit after allegedly using Eminem’s iconic track *Lose Yourself* in online advertisements without permission. The lawsuit, filed by Eminem’s music publisher Eight Mile Style, LLC, and Martin Affiliated, LLC, accuses LaFontaine Ford St. Clair of copyright infringement for featuring the song in ads promoting a special edition Detroit Lions F-150 pickup truck.
The lawsuit, filed in a Detroit federal court on January 27, claims that LaFontaine Ford ran the ads between September and October 2024 across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and possibly other sites. One of the key pieces of evidence is a video advertisement that allegedly featured *Lose Yourself* alongside the tagline: *“You only get one shot to own a Special Edition Detroit Lions F-150.”
According to the lawsuit, this use of the song was unauthorized and directly violated the exclusive rights held by Eight Mile Style. The plaintiffs argue that LaFontaine’s actions not only constituted a blatant disregard for copyright laws but also damaged the future commercial value of *Lose Yourself*, should the rights holders wish to license it for legitimate advertising deals.
A History of Copyright Disputes
This isn’t the first time *Lose Yourself* has been at the center of a copyright battle. In 2017, Eminem’s publishing company won a case against New Zealand’s National Party, which was found guilty of using a song strikingly similar to *Lose Yourself* in a political campaign ad. The court ordered the party to pay NZ$600,000 (approximately £314,000 at the time) in damages.
Given that precedent, Eight Mile Style is now seeking similar relief, requesting at least $150,000 in damages from LaFontaine Ford. The lawsuit also demands an injunction to remove the ad from circulation and a court ruling that confirms the dealership violated copyright law.
Legal Ramifications and Industry Impact
Attorney Howard Hertz, representing Eight Mile Style, emphasized the severity of the dealership’s alleged infringement, stating in the lawsuit:
> *“LaFontaine’s actions usurped plaintiffs’ exclusive rights to determine when and under what terms the composition may be used for commercial endorsements and advertising. In addition, LaFontaine’s unlawful actions have materially diminished the future value of the composition should plaintiffs wish to make it available for future commercial advertising opportunities.”*
The lawsuit argues that *Lose Yourself*—which has gone 13 times platinum and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2003—is a highly valuable piece of intellectual property. Eminem’s team has been historically strict about licensing the track, making unauthorized use a serious legal issue.
Eight Mile Style has asked U.S. District Judge Gershwin Drain to issue a cease-and-desist order against the dealership and to rule that any profits gained from the advertisement should be forfeited as part of damages.
A Costly Mistake for LaFontaine Ford?
If found guilty, LaFontaine Ford St. Clair could face hefty financial penalties, including actual damages and lost profits related to the copyright infringement. The dealership has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit, and it remains to be seen whether they will fight the claims in court or attempt to reach a settlement with Eminem’s legal team.
This case also serves as a warning to businesses using copyrighted music in advertising without proper licensing agreements. With the growing use of social media marketing, companies must be mindful of copyright laws or risk facing significant legal and financial consequences.
What do you think? Was this a serious copyright violation, or just a harmless marketing mistake?
Eminem’s Publisher Sues Detroit Ford Dealership Over ‘Lose Yourself’ Ads.
