Sony Music Sued Kroger Over Copyright Infringement
The record label filed a federal lawsuit in August 2026 alleging the grocery chain used music without authorization.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in R&B
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Sony Music filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Kroger on August 21, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The label alleges the grocery giant used protected recordings in social media posts without proper compensation or licenses.
Why it matters
The case highlights the legal risks corporations face when using copyrighted material in promotional content. Sony claims the infringement was willful because Kroger previously maintained formal licensing agreements for its digital media campaigns.
Statutory damages for copyright infringement are set between $750 and $30,000 per work. Enhanced damages for willful infringement can reach $150,000 per work.
The players
Sony Music
This is a global music entertainment company that owns a vast catalog of copyrighted sound recordings.
Kroger
This is one of the largest supermarket chains in the United States, operating numerous retail grocery locations.
The details
Sony alleges that Kroger continued to feature copyrighted music in promotional videos and influencer campaigns even after previous licenses expired. The label asserts that Kroger ignored infringement claims first raised in June 2025 and subsequently refused to enter into a tolling agreement.
Timeline
Kroger held licensed music access from 2017 through 2025.
A license for the track 'Do you Believe in Magic' expired on December 31, 2020.
Sony issued copyright infringement notifications to Kroger in June 2025.
An infringing video remained accessible online as of August 17, 2026.
The lawsuit was formally filed in federal court on August 21, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This litigation reflects the ongoing friction between major record labels and national brands over the use of licensed music in social media marketing. It mirrors a broader industry trend where rights holders are aggressively pursuing damages for content produced by corporate marketing teams.
Consumers may notice that companies are becoming more restrictive or changing the music featured in their branded social media videos. Retail shoppers should be aware that these legal disputes can lead to the sudden removal or editing of promotional content across popular digital platforms.
The takeaway
Companies that rely on music to promote their products must ensure their licensing agreements remain active and updated for all digital channels. Maintaining strict compliance with intellectual property rights prevents the costly litigation that can arise when labels enforce their catalogs.
Further reading
Explore more industry developments in R&B.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Music Connection Magazine.
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