ABKCO Music & Records Settles Lawsuit with Behr Paint Over Unauthorized Use of The Rolling Stones' 'Paint It, Black
ABKCO Music & Records has resolved a legal dispute with Behr Paint regarding an Instagram advertisement that allegedly used an unlicensed version of The Rolling Stones’ hit song “Paint It, Black.” The lawsuit, which was settled on May 4, did not disclose the terms of the agreement. ABKCO, the owner of The Rolling Stones’ early catalog, claimed that synch licenses for the song typically command high fees. Representatives for both ABKCO and Behr declined to comment on the settlement, and the band was not directly involved in the legal proceedings.
The lawsuit, filed by ABKCO in November, accused Behr of using “Paint It, Black” without proper authorization in a 2022 Instagram ad featuring furniture being spray-painted. The song, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1966, was described as one of the most valuable copyrights in popular music history. Behr initially denied any wrongdoing in response to the claims. While platforms like Instagram and TikTok offer pre-cleared music for individual users, corporate accounts are required to obtain synch licenses for commercial use of popular songs.
In recent years, the music industry has taken legal action against companies that use copyrighted music without proper licenses. Lawsuits over missing synch licenses have been filed against various companies, including Chili’s and Quince. These cases, similar to the dispute over “Paint It, Black,” often result in settlements that are resolved quickly and confidentially. The music industry is enforcing copyright laws to ensure that rightsholders are compensated for the use of their music in commercial settings.
In conclusion, the settlement between ABKCO Music & Records and Behr Paint regarding the unauthorized use of The Rolling Stones’ song “Paint It, Black” highlights the importance of obtaining proper licenses for commercial music usage. The music industry is vigilant in protecting the rights of artists and ensuring that companies adhere to copyright laws when using popular songs in advertisements and other commercial content.