Eminem's publisher sues Facebook over song usage

DETROIT (AP) -- Eminem's song publisher is suing Facebook and an ad agency in Detroit federal court, saying they appropriated one of the rapper's songs. In the complaint Monday, Ferndale, Mich.-based Eight Mile Style says a Facebook ad broadcast online last month copied music from Eminem's 2000 song "Under the Influence." The Detroit Free Press reports the 30-second ad was featured in a webcast by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to announce Facebook Home, an interface for Android phones. The complaint says ad agency Wieden+Kennedy of Portland, Ore., copied Eminem's music "in an effort to curry favor with Menlo Park, Calif.-based Facebook by catering to Zuckerberg's personal likes and interests, and/or to invoke the same irreverent theme" of the rapper's song. Messages seeking comment were left Tuesday with representatives of Facebook and Wieden+Kennedy. Published: Wed, May 22, 2013