The Beastie Boys have sued Chili’s for unauthorized use of the rap group’s 1994 song “Sabotage” in their advertisements without the approval of the group. Michael Diamond, Adam Horovitz, and the late Adam Yauch (represented by the executor of his estate) are suing Brinker International, Chili’s parent company, for two counts of copyright infringement. The complaint, filed in federal court on Wednesday, July 10, alleges that Brinker International’s use of the song and reproduction of the “Sabotage” music video were unauthorized.
Their advertisements feature “three characters wearing obvious ’70s-style wigs, fake mustaches, and sunglasses who were intended to evoke the three members of Beastie Boys,” the suit claims. The Beastie Boys are seeking “no less than $150,000 for the willful infringement” of their music. Yauch, who died in 2012, explicitly stated in his will that “in no event may my image or name or any music or any artistic property created by me be used for advertising purposes.” (People)
