Sony Sues DSW Over Social Media Ads, Following Through on Threat

Sony Music Entertainment accused DSW Shoe Warehouse Inc. and related companies of infringing copyrights with music featured in social media posts, less than a month after DSW took the label to court over what it said were unfair litigation threats.

Sony’s complaint, filed Wednesday in the US District Court for the Central District in California, says DSW, Topo Athletic Inc. their parent company Designer Brands Inc., and a number of unnamed employees and influencers knowingly used at least122 of its recordings in social media advertisements without the right licenses to do so.

The retailers’ July declaratory judgment suit, filed ...