In a move that has sent shockwaves through the tech and entertainment industries, Elon Musk’s X Corp has officially filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) and nearly 20 major music publishers.
The lawsuit, filed on January 9, 2026, in the Northern District of Texas, alleges a massive “collusive scheme” designed to force the social media platform into high-cost licensing agreements through aggressive copyright enforcement.
The Allegations: 500,000 Takedowns as “Coercion”
At the heart of X Corp’s 53-page complaint is the claim that the NMPA coordinated a campaign to “inundate” X with DMCA takedown notices. The platform alleges that this was not about protecting intellectual property, but rather an attempt to apply “maximum pressure” on X to sign industry-wide licenses at inflated rates.
Key statistics cited in the lawsuit include:
- 500,000+ targeted posts since the major publishers joined the effort in 2023.
- 50,000+ suspended users, including high-profile creators and sports media accounts.
- 90% market control by the named defendants, which X argues constitutes an illegal monopoly on music licensing.
X Corp claims that NMPA President David Israelite explicitly warned the platform that a “massive program” of takedowns would begin unless X agreed to pay “a price” to make the issue go away.
Major Music Publishers Named as Defendants
The antitrust lawsuit targets several of the biggest names in the music business, accusing them of a “concerted refusal to deal” with X independently. The list of defendants includes:
- Sony Music Publishing
- Universal Music Corp.
- Warner Chappell Music
- BMG, Kobalt, Concord, and Downtown Music Publishing
X argues that by acting as a bloc through the NMPA, these publishers are denying the platform the benefit of a competitive marketplace, in violation of the Sherman Act.
NMPA Response: “X is the Only Outlier”
The music industry is fighting back, calling the lawsuit “meritless” and a “bad faith effort” to distract from X’s alleged history of copyright infringement.
In a statement to the media, David Israelite pointed out that virtually every other major social media platform—including YouTube, Meta (Instagram/Facebook), TikTok, and Snap—has successfully reached licensing agreements. He noted that YouTube alone paid out over $8 billion to rightsholders in the past year, proving that harmonious partnerships are the industry standard.
What’s at Stake for the Future of Social Media?
X is seeking a permanent injunction against the publishers, along with treble and punitive damages. This legal battle represents a fundamental clash between social media giants and music rightsholders.
While X views the coordinated takedowns as “extortionate,” publishers maintain they are simply enforcing their rights against a platform that refuses to pay for the content it hosts. As the case moves forward in Texas, the outcome could redefine how music is licensed and protected across the entire internet.
