The Beastie Boys alleged that Brinker International, the company behind Chili’s, used their song “Sabotage” and imagery evoking the band in promotional social-media videos without permission. They sued in federal court in New York in July 2024. Reuters reported that the Beastie Boys and Universal Music Group settled their separate cases against Brinker in May 2025; the settlement terms were not disclosed.
What did the Beastie Boys say Chili’s did?
In a complaint filed July 10, 2024, the Beastie Boys partnership, Michael Diamond, Adam Horovitz and Dechen Yauch, as executor of Adam Yauch’s estate, accused Brinker International of using “Sabotage” in Chili’s promotional social-media videos without permission. The complaint said the videos began appearing no earlier than November 2022.
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The plaintiffs alleged that one video used parts of both the “Sabotage” musical composition and sound recording, and showed three characters wearing wigs, fake mustaches and sunglasses in scenes resembling the song’s official music video. They argued that the presentation evoked the band as well as the song. These are allegations in the complaint, not findings by a court. Read the complaint.
The complaint also alleged that the official “Sabotage” video had received 131 million YouTube views. That figure is the plaintiffs’ assertion in their 2024 complaint, not a current independently verified view count.
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What legal claims and damages did they seek?
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York as case 1:24-cv-05221, asserted copyright claims involving the sound recording and musical composition. It also brought a claim under the Lanham Act, alleging that the use of the group’s marks and identity could misleadingly suggest sponsorship or endorsement.
The plaintiffs requested an injunction and monetary relief. For each identified sound-recording and composition copyright, they sought at least $150,000 in statutory damages if willful infringement were established. That amount was requested in the complaint; it was not a court award. The docket listing classifies the case as a copyright action, but the available listing does not establish the final disposition. View the docket listing.
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Did the Beastie Boys settle the lawsuit?
Yes. Reuters reported on May 22, 2025, that the Beastie Boys and Universal Music Group had settled their separate lawsuits against Brinker over the alleged use of “Sabotage” in Chili’s social-media advertising. Reuters said the terms were not disclosed. The reported settlement does not establish that a court ruled on whether Brinker infringed copyrights or violated the Lanham Act, and the available reporting does not specify a settlement amount or other terms. Reuters’ settlement report.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is “Sabotage”?
“Sabotage” is a 1994 Beastie Boys song from the album Ill Communication, according to Pitchfork’s album review. The lawsuit concerned alleged use of the song and imagery in advertising; it was not a dispute over the album’s availability or a claim that Chili’s sold the music.
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