Overview

• Beastie Boys and Universal Music Group (UMG) have settled lawsuits against Brinker International, Chili’s parent company, over unauthorized use of 'Sabotage' in social media ads.
• The lawsuits, filed in July 2024, alleged copyright infringement and claimed the ads falsely suggested the band endorsed Chili’s.
• One ad parodied the Spike Jonze–directed 'Sabotage' video, featuring characters styled to resemble the band members.
• Adam Yauch’s will explicitly prohibits the use of Beastie Boys music in third-party advertising, forming a key basis for the case.
• The settlement was reached through mediation, with terms undisclosed, and a formal dismissal is expected by July 7, 2025.