UMG, Concord Slap Quince with Major Lawsuit Over TikTok

Universal Music Group (UMG) and Concord Music Group, joined by Capitol Records and multiple Universal Music Publishing entities, have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against direct-to-consumer fashion brand Quince, alleging “rampant and brazen” use of protected music in TikTok and Instagram content.

What the Lawsuit Alleges

The complaint claims Quince used more than 130 copyrighted works without permission across social media ads and posts—specifically 67 sound recordings and 71 musical compositions. The allegedly infringed catalog spans marquee artists and hit songs, underscoring the scale of the dispute.

Artists named in the filing include:

• Sabrina Carpenter
• Olivia Rodrigo
• Billie Eilish
• Chappell Roan
• Lana Del Rey
• Ariana Grande
• ABBA
• Fleetwood Mac
• Drake
• Britney Spears
• Coldplay
• Diana Ross

Timeline and Ongoing Use

According to the filing, UMG and Concord formally notified Quince in September 2024 that its social posts were infringing copyrighted music. Quince’s counsel allegedly replied that the issues had been “fully addressed.” However, the labels say they continued finding new, unauthorized uses as recently as March 2026, leading them to characterize the conduct as willful and deliberate.

Quince’s Social Strategy Under Scrutiny

Founded in 2018, Quince has leaned heavily on social media and paid influencer marketing to build its brand. The company reportedly works with roughly 300 creators each month. The complaint highlights that a senior brand executive has emphasized the company’s reliance on influencers and word of mouth rather than traditional branding, a strategy that the labels argue increases the role of music in advertising.

The filing also alleges that Quince has reposted sponsored influencer content while swapping the creators’ original audio for copyrighted music tracks—a practice the plaintiffs say underscores Quince’s awareness of music’s marketing power and its responsibility to secure licenses.

Big Growth, Bigger Stakes

The lawsuit arrives amid major growth for Quince. In March, the company closed a $500 million Series E round at a valuation of $10.1 billion and has said its annual revenue now exceeds $1 billion. The labels point to Quince’s scale and sophistication as evidence that it knew or should have known licensing was required for commercial use of popular recordings and compositions.

Claims and Potential Penalties

The complaint asserts multiple causes of action: four counts of direct copyright infringement, as well as contributory and vicarious infringement. The music companies are seeking:

• Statutory damages of up to $150,000 per infringed work
• Actual damages and disgorgement of profits
• Attorneys’ fees and costs
• A permanent injunction barring further infringement

If successful, the combination of statutory and actual damages could be substantial given the number of works at issue, alongside any injunction that could restrict how Quince deploys music in its marketing going forward.

What Comes Next

The case now moves into the judicial process, where the court will evaluate the alleged infringements, Quince’s defenses, and the appropriate remedies. Key questions include whether Quince obtained or believed it had necessary licenses, the extent of any unauthorized uses, and whether the conduct will be deemed willful—an outcome that could significantly influence damages.

For brands investing heavily in short-form video and creator partnerships, the lawsuit is a fresh reminder that popular tracks used in commercial content typically require clearances from both recording and publishing rightsholders. As this dispute unfolds, its outcome may shape how influencer-driven advertisers approach music licensing on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.