The Black Keys have initiated legal proceedings against Pizza Hut and Home Depot after the two companies allegedly used songs from the duo’s 2011 album ‘El Camino‘ on advertising campaigns without their permission.
According to Bloomberg, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, along with ‘El Camino’s producer Danger Mouse, are to sue after submitting the initial papers in Los Angeles on June 21st.
In making their case, The Black Keys have said Pizza Hut used ‘significant portions’ of the single ‘Gold On The Ceiling‘ in their advertising for Cheesy Bites Pizza, while DIY chain Home Depot is alleged to have used the track ‘Lonely Boy‘ in an advert for power tools without obtaining suitable usage rights.
The band’s lawyers have said the use of the songs in the adverts amounts to a ‘brazen and improper effort to capitalise on the plaintiffs’ hard-earned success’.
In addition, The Black Keys claim letters were sent out to both companies in May asking for the campaigns to be discontinued.