Associated Production Music sues Budget Blinds and Home Franchise Concepts over production music in YouTube and Facebook videos

The complaint

Associated Production Music LLC v. Budget Blinds, LLC and Home Franchise Concepts, LLC, No. 8:26-cv-02830 (C.D. Cal.), was filed September 25, 2026 (14 pages). APM, a New York limited liability company based in Los Angeles, describes itself as a production music library and as the exclusive licensee and licensing agent of the asserted rights. Budget Blinds is a California limited liability company and Home Franchise Concepts is a Delaware limited liability company, both, on information and belief, based in Irvine, California. APM demands a jury trial. (Compl. caption; paras. 5 to 7, 13 to 14.)

What it alleges

The complaint alleges that the defendants reproduced and synchronized the sound recordings and compositions of at least eleven registered works into marketing videos posted on YouTube and Facebook, and, on information and belief, that they created those videos and distributed them to franchisees for further use. Exhibit A lists the titles, albums, registration numbers, and example links. APM alleges that, beginning in October 2025, it sent cease-and-desist letters identifying at least 50 links and asking for proof of a license, and that the defendants responded but did not provide a license for any of the works. A footnote says some or all of the links are no longer active because the defendants took them down. (Compl. paras. 1 to 3, 15 to 18, 24 to 26 and n.1.)

On the vicarious count, the complaint alleges, on information and belief, that Home Franchise Concepts is the parent of Budget Blinds, that Budget Blinds is a wholly owned subsidiary, and that each had the right and ability to supervise the infringing conduct of subsidiaries or franchisees and benefited financially from it. (Compl. paras. 45 to 54.)

The counts and relief

Count I pleads copyright infringement, Count II vicarious infringement, and Count III contributory infringement, each against both defendants. The prayer asks for declarations of direct, contributory, and vicarious infringement; actual damages and profits under 17 U.S.C. 504(b) or statutory damages of up to $150,000 per infringed work; fees and costs; interest; temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctive relief; and a finding of joint and several liability. (Compl. Counts I to III; Prayer A to J.)

On the docket

The docket shows summonses returned executed, appearances of counsel for the defendants, a certificate of interested parties, and an entry extending the time to answer by 30 days or less. (Docket, ECF Nos. 12 to 17.)