Eminem's publisher sues Facebook over song usage

DETROIT — Eminem's song publisher is suing Facebook and an ad agency, saying they copied music from one of the rapper's songs.

Eight Mile Style filed a federal lawsuit in Detroit on Monday alleging that a 30-second Facebook ad broadcast online last month copied music from Eminem's 2000 song "Under the Influence."

The Detroit Free Press (http://on.freep.com/10LFB2N ) reports that the ad was featured in a webcast by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to announce Facebook Home, an interface for Android phones.

The complaint says Portland, Oregon, ad agency Wieden+Kennedy copied Eminem's music "in an effort to curry favor" with Facebook by catering to Zuckerberg's personal likes and to "invoke the same irreverent theme" of the song.

Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes and Wieden+Kennedy spokeswoman Katie Hull both declined comment Tuesday.