# Kroger asks court to dismiss Sony Music’s social media ads lawsuit, citing Supreme Court’s Cox ruling

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/kroger-asks-court-to-dismiss-sony-musics-social-media-ads-lawsuit-citing-supreme-courts-cox-ruling/
- Published: 2026-11-05T20:06:02+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T20:25:27+00:00
- Original publisher: Music Business Worldwide
- Original article: https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/kroger-asks-court-to-dismiss-sony-musics-social-media-ads-lawsuit-citing-supreme-courts-cox-ruling/
- Topics: Americas, Entertainment, Music, World

## Key points

- Kroger seeks dismissal of Sony Music’s copyright lawsuit.
- Sony alleges at least 392 unauthorised uses in social media videos.
- Kroger disputes ownership details, jurisdiction and liability.

## Summary

Kroger has asked a California federal court to dismiss Sony Music’s copyright lawsuit, which alleges the supermarket group used Sony recordings without permission in social media adverts. The case matters because Kroger is challenging how Sony has identified the owners of the recordings and whether the companies can be held responsible for music used in posts by brands and paid influencers.

Sony and nine affiliated labels sued Kroger and related companies in August, alleging at least 392 unauthorised uses. Kroger’s motion argues that the complaint does not link each recording to an owner, disputes California jurisdiction over eight defendants, and says Sony has not shown that Kroger caused infringement; it cites the US Supreme Court’s March ruling in Cox v. Sony. The defendants also ask the court to require Sony to provide more specific claims if it does not dismiss the case.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.