Sony Music Entertainment v. The Kroger Co.
Summary
Sony Music Entertainment sued Kroger and affiliated grocery chains for copyright infringement related to audiovisual works displayed or distributed through their stores and digital platforms. The case targets multiple retailers including Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, and Shop-Rite, alleging unauthorized use of music videos or other protected audio-visual content.
Summary generated by AI from public docket data. Verify against the original filing before relying on it.
Coverage vs reality meter
Prior 2P · 0D · 1N (10 articles)→Recent 30d 1P · 0D · 0N (1 article)
Press coverage leans plaintiff-favorable; no court ruling has been classified yet.
Coverage breakdown — the articles behind the meter
8 plaintiff-favorable · 0 defendant-favorable · 3 neutral articles
The meter counts distinct coverage events, not articles: 3 plaintiff · 0 defendant · 1 neutral events — a burst of same-stance coverage counts once, however many outlets ran it.
- Kroger and LG Sued Over Unauthorized Use of Viral 'Cheese Tax' Song in TikTok AdsLaw Commentary · 2026-10-22
- SONY MUSIC SUES RALPHS PARENT COMPANY KROGERMusic Connection Magazine · 2026-09-21
- Sony Music Files Copyright Lawsuit Against Kroger Over Social Media AdvertisingCelebrityAccess · 2026-08-28
- Sony Music Sues Kroger Over 392 Alleged Unlicensed Uses of Songs in Social Media AdsLaw Commentary · 2026-08-26
None classified yet.
Coverage sentiment vs. docket activity over time
Counsel of record
- Proskauer Rose LLPChristina Hyun Jin Kroll
- Court
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- Docket no.
- 2:26-cv-09358
- Nature of suit
- Copyright
- Judge
- George H. Wu
- Filed
- 2026-08-21
- Last filing
- 2026-09-24
Cause
17:0106 Motion Pictures & Other Audiovisual Works
Entities in this case
Parties
Does 150 (defendant) Vitacost.com, Inc. (defendant) Kroger Limited Partnership I (defendant) Relish Labs LLC (defendant) Murrays LIC LLC (defendant) Murrays Cheese LLC (defendant) Harris Teeter, LLC (defendant) Shop-Rite LLC (defendant) Ultimate Mart, LLC (defendant) Ultra Mart Foods, LLC (defendant) Mega Marts, LLC (defendant) Roundys Illinois, LLC (defendant) Roundys, Inc. (defendant) Smiths Food & Drug Centers, Inc. (defendant) Fred Meyer Jewelers, Inc. (defendant) Fred Meyer Stores, Inc. (defendant) Ralphs Grocery Company (defendant) Dillon Companies, LLC (defendant) 84.51 LLC (defendant) The Kroger Co. (defendant)
Docket entries
- #42026-08-21
REPORT ON THE FILING OF AN ACTION regarding a copyright (Initial Notification) filed by Alamo Records LLC, Arista Music, Arista Records LLC, LaFace Records LLC, Provident Label Group LLC, Records Label LLC, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC, Ultra Records LLC, Zomba Recording LLC.. (Kroll, Christina) (Entered: 08/21/2026)
- #32026-08-21
Plaintiffs Local Rule 7.1-1 Notice of Interested Parties and Rule 7.1 Disclosure Statement NOTICE of Interested Parties filed by Plaintiffs All Plaintiffs, (Kroll, Christina) (Entered: 08/21/2026)
- #22026-08-21
CIVIL COVER SHEET filed by Plaintiffs Alamo Records LLC, Arista Music, Arista Records LLC, LaFace Records LLC, Provident Label Group LLC, Records Label LLC, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC, Ultra Records LLC, Zomba Recording LLC.. (Kroll, Christina) (Entered: 08/21/2026)
- #12026-08-21
COMPLAINT Receipt No: ACACDC-43121062 - Fee: $405, filed by Plaintiffs Records Label LLC, Alamo Records LLC, Sony Music Entertainment, Provident Label Group LLC, Arista Music, Ultra Records LLC, Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC, Arista Records LLC, Zomba Recording LLC., LaFace Records LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1) (Attorney Christina Hyun Jin Kroll added to party Alamo Records LLC(pty:pla), Attorney Christina Hyun Jin Kroll added to party Arista Music(pty:pla), Attorney Christina Hyun Jin Kroll added to party Arista Records LLC(pty:pla), Attorney Christina Hyun Jin Kroll added to party LaFace Records LLC(pty:pla), Attorney Christina Hyun Jin Kroll added to party Provident Label Group LLC(pty:pla), Attorney Christina Hyun Jin Kroll added to party Records Label LLC(pty:pla), Attorney Christina Hyun Jin Kroll added to party Sony Music Entertainment(pty:pla), Attorney Christina Hyun Jin Kroll added to party Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC(pty:pla), Attorney Christina Hyun Jin Kroll added to party Ultra Records LLC(pty:pla), Attorney Christina Hyun Jin Kroll added to party Zomba Recording LLC. (pty:pla))(Kroll, Christina) (Entered: 08/21/2026)
Docket history from CourtListener/RECAP — most recent first.