How the cookie Crumbls: Warner Music Group sues Crumbl for using their music on social media

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The popular cookie company founded in Logan, Utah, is being sued by Warner Music Group (WMG) for copyright infringement. Crumbl says they are actively reviewing the matter and will “respond appropriately through the legal process.”

WMG claims that Crumbl has developed a successful brand by using its music in promotions on social media. In the lawsuit, they say that Crumbl has not “paid for the privilege” to use its music.

According to a complaint filed by WMG on April 22, Crumbl’s social media posts and videos “frequently feature unauthorized use of Plaintiffs’ sound recordings and musical compositions — usually featuring chart-topping and award-winning artists — as a principal and indispensable element of the Crumbl Videos.”

Some of the artists under Warner Music Group that are mentioned in the lawsuit are Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Bruno Mars and Beyoncé.

In the lawsuit, WMG alleged that Crumbl’s “investment in social media advertisements, and in the Crumbl Videos in particular, has been critical to Defendants’ success.” Because of the success derived from this form of social media advertising, WMG sent a cease and desist letter to Crumbl on April 3, 2023.

WMG states that Crumbl allegedly did not respond to the cease and desist, and even later posted a video on TikTok that stated “legal said we can’t use any trending audios.”

WMG also mentions previous lawsuits that involved trademark infringement filed by Crumbl against competitors, such as Dirty Dough and Crave Cookies, arguing that Crumbl understood the gravity of infringement.

“Crumbl is aware of the legal action initiated by Warner Music Group and is actively reviewing the matter. Crumbl respects the rights of artists and creators and will respond appropriately through the legal process. In the meantime, we remain focused on innovation, strengthening our community, and bringing friends and families together,” the cookie company said in a statement to ABC4.

Warner Music Group is asking the judge to grant up to “$150,000 per infringed work,” and file a permanent injunction that Crumbl cannot infringe on their copyrighted music and sound again.