Kroger and LG Sued for Allegedly Using Dog-Themed ‘Cheese Tax’ TikTok Song Without Licenses

Musician Matthew Hobbs is suing Kroger and LG Electronics, alleging that both companies used his viral song “Cheese Tax” in commercial TikTok videos without obtaining licences. The cases highlight the distinction between music available for personal TikTok posts and music cleared for brand accounts, and add to a growing number of disputes over companies’ use of songs on social media.

Hobbs, who publishes dog-themed music to more than 800,000 TikTok followers, says the videos were posted in March 2023, as “Cheese Tax” gained popularity. Both companies removed them in April after receiving legal demands, but Hobbs says he has not been paid; he is seeking damages from each, and also claims LG removed copyright management information without permission. He says the videos remained online for more than three years, and the suit is Kroger’s second recent case over alleged unlicensed social media music use, following Sony Music’s lawsuit in August.