Business & Finance
Sony Music sues Kroger over alleged social media copyright infringement
The lawsuit alleges the supermarket chain used nearly 400 copyrighted songs without authorization in social media posts and influencer campaigns.
The short version
- Sony Music filed a lawsuit against Kroger on August 21 alleging nearly 400 instances of unauthorized music use in social media posts and paid influencer ads.
- The legal action targets videos on TikTok and Instagram featuring songs from major artists such as Beyoncé, Harry Styles, and Mariah Carey.
- The suit comes amid a broader industry push by major music labels taking legal action against commercial brands for using unlicensed music in promotional posts.
Key facts
- Sony Music filed a copyright lawsuit against grocery giant Kroger on August 21 in federal court.[Billboard]
- The complaint alleges nearly 400 instances of unauthorized sound recording use on social platforms including TikTok and Instagram.[Billboard]
- Sony claims Kroger previously negotiated licensing agreements for advertisements, indicating the company was aware of standard licensing requirements.[Billboard]
- The suit names specific promotional posts, such as an Instagram video featuring Harry Styles's "Watermelon Sugar" and a holiday recipe post using Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You."[Billboard]
- Music labels have previously targeted other corporate entities over commercial social media usage, including Marriott, Chili's, and several NBA teams.[Billboard]
What remains uncertain
- Kroger did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the filing, leaving its legal defense unstated.[Billboard]