On May 1, 2025, Warner Music Group sued Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW) for copyright infringement for using its music on social media. The case was filed in Ohio federal court. The lawsuit also contends that DSW violated copyright law by using paid partnerships with social media influencers.
Warner’s lawsuit states that DSW is “one of North America’s largest designers, producers and retainers of footwear and accessories.” Warner alleges that DSW “misappropriated over two hundred” of Warner Music’s compositions and recordingsin TikTok and Instagram posts. Warner also sued DSW’s parent company, Designer Brands Inc.
Warner is seeking statutory damages up to the legal limit of $150,000 per infringement of each musical work.
Warner contends that within the videos on Instagram and TikTok are musical works by Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd, Cardi B, Lizzo, Madonna, Missy Elliot, and others.
Warner states in its lawsuit that among the musical works that were allegedly infringed by DSW are “some of the most popular sound recordings and musical compositions in the world.”
Read more
