From Music Business Worldwide · · 1m 50s
Kroger and LG sued over TikTok song 'Cheese Tax'
Musicians sue Kroger and LG for using TikTok hit 'Cheese Tax' without license.
In brief
Musicians sue Kroger and LG for using TikTok hit 'Cheese Tax' without license. Musician Matt Hobbs sued Kroger and LG for allegedly using his TikTok song 'Cheese Tax' without permission. Originally reported by Music Business Worldwide.
Kroger and LG sued
Kroger and LG Electronics U.S.A. each sued for allegedly using TikTok song Cheese Tax in promotional videos without a license.
Sued by Matt Hobbs
Georgia-based musician Matthew Michael Hobbs, creator of Puppy Songs, filed both complaints in federal court in Los Angeles on Monday, October 19.
Cheese Tax published
Hobbs first published Cheese Tax on February 28, 2023, as an 'original sound' on his @puppysongs TikTok profile.
Kroger used song
Kroger posted a video using Cheese Tax on its @kroger TikTok account on March 10, 2023, viewed at least 6,231 times.
Kroger's infringement
Kroger used Cheese Tax without a license, bypassing TikTok's Commercial Music Library and infringing Hobbs' rights.
Kroger's claim
Kroger's video was available for over three years before Hobbs sued, claiming willful infringement.
LG used song
LG posted a video of a dog at an open refrigerator set to Cheese Tax on its @lgusa TikTok account on March 21, 2023.
LG's infringement
LG falsely credited Cheese Tax as its own 'original sound' and uploaded a user's video without permission.
LG's claim
LG's video received at least 2,938 views, 84 likes, 11 comments, 5 saves, and 1 share.
LG's DMCA claims
LG falsely identified Cheese Tax as its own sound, violating the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
Damages sought
Both lawsuits seek up to $150,000 per infringed work, plus legal fees and court orders to stop future use.
Kroger and LG declined comment
LG declined to comment to MBW, while Kroger did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Here's the gist
Musician Matt Hobbs sued Kroger and LG for allegedly using his TikTok song 'Cheese Tax' without permission.
