Local chain Ekiben sued by music group over use of ‘Space Jam’ song in Instagram video

The Baltimore-based Asian fusion chain Ekiben was sued on Thursday by Watson Music Group for using the song “Space Jam” in a promotional Instagram video in April 2024, court documents show.

The lawsuit alleges that Ekiben infringed on the music company’s exclusive rights to the song and did not ask to use it. The video cited in the court documents is no longer on Ekiben’s Instagram account.

Rights to the song made for the 1996 film “Space Jam” were purchased by Watson Music Group, which also goes by Quadrasound Music, in July 2019. Since then, Watson Music Group has sued dozens of businesses, big and small, that used the song on their social media platforms for copyright infringement.

Some other businesses that Watson Music Group has sued in recent years include a Minor League baseball team in Wisconsin, a brewery in Texas, a home restoration company in Arkansas and a realty company in Chevy Chase, which settled the case in 2024.

Ekiben did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ekiben is not the only beloved Baltimore institution that has been hit with a music copyright case this summer. Ottobar, a popular live music and events venue in Charles Village, was forced to pay $18,500 to Broadcast Music Inc. and three music publishers in a copyright infringement case in recent months.

BMI, one of the world’s largest performing rights organizations, said the venue used three of its songs during karaoke without a licensing agreement: “Take On Me” by A-ha, “Goodbye Earl” by The Chicks, and “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” by Cutting Crew.