Elon Musk announced last month that he's hired a new CEO for his tumultuously acquired social media platform. Of course, that doesn't mean he's out of hot water quite yet. It seems the National Music Publishers' Association is the latest group to beef with the South African engineer. According to the New York Times, 1,700 songs owned by 17 music publishers are involved in a copyright infringement lawsuit against Twitter. It was filed in Nashville's Federal District Court on Wednesday (June 14).
The suit is seeking $250M in damages over claims that Musk's website "permits and encourages infringement" for its own profit. It's worth noting that the issue in question pre-dates the Tesla head's takeover of Twitter. However, there have been no noticeable improvements as a result of his work. Based on the situation's apparent total neglect, the NMPA believes internal affairs are in "disarray" at this time. "[Twitter] stands alone as the largest social media platform that has completely refused to license the millions of songs on its service," President David Israelite declared in a recent statement.
Elon Musk's Twitter Hit with Yet Another Lawsuit
The association is under the impression that Twitter's recent layoffs have only contributed to copyright issues. "Critical departments involved with content review and policing terms of service violations" have been downsized, they claim. The sudden departure of countless senior staff members with valuable and necessary experience is also of great concern.
Among publishers being protected by the NMPA in the hefty lawsuit are Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony Music Publishing, and BMG Rights Management. Artists who fall under their umbrellas include the late Biggie Smalls, Destiny's Child, Nicki Minaj, and Rihanna. Elsewhere in the Twittersphere, SZA made it abundantly clear that she's tired of internet bullies targeting her friend and "Special (Remix)" collaborator, Lizzo. Read what the TDE songbird had to say about all the hate at the link below, and check back later for more music/pop culture news updates.