Sony Music Wins $800,000 Damages Award Over Viral TikTok Song

Sony Music Entertainment Inc. won $802,997 in damages against the rapper Trefuego, who unlawfully sampled the 1986 song “Reflections” to create a track that went viral on the social media platform TikTok.

US District Judge Mark Pittman approved Sony’s damages request based on lost licensing fees and the revenue generated from the infringing song “90mh” by Trefuego, who’s real name is Dantreal Daevon Clark-Rainbolt.

The judge also ordered a permanent injunction preventing Trefuego from performing or exploiting “90mh” without paying Sony 50% of revenues connected to the musical composition and 20% of revenues connected to the sound recording.

Pittman, of ...