Instagram music use brings €11,000 demand for two workshop organisers

Two women in Tyrol have received a demand for nearly €11,000 after using music from Instagram’s library in a video promoting their paid workshops, ORF reported. An Upper Austrian lawyer said the track was not licensed for commercial use.

The women say they run their Instagram account as a sideline and have fewer than 1,000 followers. Because their workshops are paid, they are legally considered business operators. They asked to remain anonymous, citing concerns about possible economic disadvantages.

The video was 15 seconds long and, according to the women, was viewed fewer than 600 times. The lawyer, acting on behalf of the performers, said the amount includes the licence fee that would normally have been paid before using the music, a surcharge for the alleged infringement and legal costs.

Rafael Pauley of the Tyrol Chamber of Commerce questioned whether demands in such cases are proportionate. He compared the situation to a car park with many empty spaces but complicated rules that can lead users to park incorrectly and face excessive consequences.

Matthias Kettemann, a legal scholar at the University of Innsbruck, also questioned the amount. He estimated that a realistic sum would be €2,000 to €3,000. Many people affected nevertheless pay to avoid lengthy proceedings, he said.

The experts said a court case could provide greater clarity. The women are considering whether to challenge the demand or pay it. They say they would need to run many workshops to raise the sum.

The case highlights uncertainty for small businesses and self-employed people using music on social media. A track being suggested in Instagram’s music library does not automatically mean it can be used in commercial content. Experts advise checking the licence terms, particularly for business accounts.