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Eminem’s Publisher Sues Ford Dealer Over Use Of ‘Lose Yourself’

Ford is quite proud of its Detroit-area heritage, with the automaker being very much well-known for having its headquarters in nearby Dearborn. The Blue Oval is indeed an institution in that part of Michigan and has been for over a century now, not to mention the fact that Sheila Ford Hamp happens to own the Detroit Lions NFL team as well. Thus, it’s no surprise that more than one Ford dealer has been happy to tout the automaker’s Detroit-area roots in the past, but those same efforts recently got one such seller of vehicles in a bit of legal hot water.

A photo showing the badging of a Detroit Lions Special Edition 2024 Ford F-150.

As Ford Authority recently reported, a Michigan-based Ford dealer recently began offering the new Detroit Lions Special Edition 2024 Ford F-150 to customers and fans, which features a variety of unique touches that pay homage to the hometown NFL team, including Detroit Lions logos on the exterior and interior. Just 800 units of this special pickup were built in total, albeit with a reasonable package price of $995. However, LaFontaine Ford St. Clair decided to use the Eminem song “Lose Yourself” to promote that F-150 in its advertisement for the offering without securing a license to do so, and that has prompted a lawsuit, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The lawsuit was filed by Eight Mile Style, a publisher that oversees the Detroit native’s musical catalog, claiming that the Ford dealer didn’t get proper permission to use the track in its 30-second ad spot that ran across various social media channels last fall. The video includes music from “Lose Yourself” and a caption inspired by the lyrics of the song, too. “You only get one shot to own a Special Edition Detroit Lions F-150,” the caption read. “With only 800 produced, you only get one shot to own a Special Edition Detroit Lions 2024 PowerBoost Hybrid F-150.”

A rear three quarters view of the Detroit Lions Special Edition 2024 Ford F-150.

“Neither (p)laintiffs nor Eminem have agreed to be affiliated with or endorse the goods or services of LaFontaine,” the lawsuit reads. Eight Mile Style is seeking an injunction against the video, as well as damage relief of at least $150,000.

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.

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Comments

  1. How stupid is that? Eminem used “Lose Yourself” in a Chrysler ad. That dealer will send buyers to the nearest CDJR store.

    Reply
  2. How stupid that their advertising agency didn’t know that you have to license music for a spot. Morons.

    Reply

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