The Beastie Boys sued Chili’s Grill & Bar in federal court on Wednesday, accusing the restaurant chain’s main operator of infringing on their copyright of the 1994 hit “Sabotage” by using it in advertisements without permission.
According to the complaint, Brinker International, which operates more than 1,600 Chili’s and other restaurants worldwide, rolled out promotional videos on social media beginning in November 2022 that used significant portions of the song and parodied its music video, directed by Spike Jonze.
The music video playfully pays homage to 1970s television crime dramas and features a fictitious opening credit scene and the group’s members dressed in fake wigs, mustaches and sunglasses of the era.
In the Chili’s video advertisement, three characters dressed in similar ’70s attire rob ingredients from a Chili’s restaurant scored to the sound of “Sabotage,” said the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Persons:
Brinker, Spike Jonze, ”
Organizations:
Beastie Boys, Chili’s Grill, Bar, Brinker International, Southern, of
Locations:
U.S, of New York