Sony Music sued by Lit band for alleged copyright infringement

heir concerns. Lit first raised accounting objections in July 2023 and continued pressing through 2025, but Sony, according to the complaint, offered a limited defense initially and then completely stopped responding to the band’s counsel from late April 2024 onwards.

Throughout the dispute, Sony allegedly failed to provide a coherent position to defend its interpretation of the streaming provision in question. In addition to the alleged royalty shortfall, Lit claims that Sony’s underreporting also impacted their pension contributions and eligibility for health insurance through SAG-AFTRA.

Lit is seeking full damages, attorneys’ fees, and a jury trial in response to these alleged breaches of contract by Sony Music Entertainment. This lawsuit is part of a trend where legacy artists are challenging major labels over streaming royalties based on contracts established before the streaming era.

Similar disputes have been brought by other artists, such as Enrique Iglesias against Universal, Four Tet against Domino Records, and Black Sheep against UMG, all focusing on how streaming income should be classified under older contracts. Lit’s case against Sony Music Entertainment adds to this ongoing conversation in the music industry about fair compensation for artists in the streaming age.