Rolling Stones’ “Paint It, Black” Subject of Copyright Lawsuit by ABKCO Records Against Behr Paint

ABKCO Records, the owner of the master recordings of the Rolling Stones up to 1970, filed a lawsuit today against Behr Paint alleging copyright infringement for the unauthorized use of the band’s 1966 hit song “Paint It, Black” in an online commercial.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Southern Division, asserts that Behr exploited the recording “without ABKCO’s authorization, without compensating ABKCO, and for its sole commercial benefit.” The advertisement featured a house being painted a greyish-green color while the song played, and reportedly included a snippet of dialogue from the 1989 film “Goodfellas,” which also features the track, potentially adding another layer to the copyright concerns. Such disputes highlight the increasing complexities of music licensing in the digital advertising landscape.

William Pittenger, General Counsel for ABKCO, stated, “The type of commercial use exploited by Behr undergoes some of the highest level of scrutiny in the world of music licensing and carries some of the most substantial licensing fees. Because of Behr’s decision not to request and obtain the necessary license, this commercial brand association has been forced upon ABKCO and the artists without any consideration or compensation.” ABKCO, known for its aggressive protection of copyrights – including a high-profile case involving The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” – is seeking unspecified damages. The ad has since been removed from Behr’s Instagram archive, though copies remain available online.

Representatives for Behr have been contacted for comment. ABKCO is represented by Pryor Cashman LLP and will pursue the case in court, seeking compensation for the unauthorized use of the iconic song, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.