X Takes on Music Publishers in DMCA Takedown Dispute

In a significant development for the streaming industry, Elon Musk's platform X has filed an antitrust lawsuit against music publishers and the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA). The lawsuit alleges that the parties have attempted to coerce X into industrywide licensing deals by weaponizing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) with takedown notices.

The DMCA Takedown Dispute

The lawsuit claims that the NMPA and music publishers began sending weekly takedown notices related to thousands of posts in 2021. This strategy was aimed at gaining leverage and pressuring X into industrywide licensing deals, denying the platform the benefits of competition between music publishers.

Copyright Issues and Prior Disputes

This is not the first time X has faced copyright and piracy issues. In 2023, for instance, the entire Super Mario Bros. Movie kept getting posted to X. The ongoing legal battle between X and the NMPA dates back to 2023, when the NMPA sued X for $250 million for massive copyright infringement involving over 1,700 songs.

Implications for North East India and Beyond

The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the streaming industry, including platforms in North East India. If X succeeds in its request for monetary damages and a court order blocking the NMPA from allegedly forcing X to collectively negotiate with publishers, it could set a precedent for other platforms facing similar pressure.

The Road Ahead

The lawsuit is the latest wrinkle in a years-long legal battle between X and the NMPA. In 2024, a judge upheld parts of the still-pending lawsuit, and a November 2025 filing stated that X and the NMPA have made substantial progress toward settlement. As the case progresses, it will be interesting to see how the courts address the allegations of coercion and the use of the DMCA in this context.