Business owners who sought to ride the wave of popularity of the viral trend are discovering that using the sound leads straight to court with compensation demands of tens of thousands of shekels.

Nir Krigel

(photo credit: Screenshot from Kan News, Kan 11 Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation)

ByWALLA! MONEY

JULY 8, 2026 07:30

What began as a lighthearted TikTok sensation has evolved into a notable legal controversy online. Eleven-year-old Nir Krigel, creator of the UAV Song, is pursuing unauthorized users through his family and legal representatives by filing lawsuits and sending warning letters to small business operators who incorporated the track into promotional content.

One defendant is Or German, a fitness instructor based in Givatayim, who faces a claim for NIS 100,000. German posted a Reel on Instagram to promote Friday training sessions and included the popular sound from the platform library along with the signature phrase: "What is that up there in the sky?".

"I thought someone was joking with me because it made no sense," German told Hatzinor on Reshet 13 after receiving an initial notice demanding NIS 25,000 and immediate removal of the video. He deleted the post and proposed a NIS 3,000 settlement, yet the offer was declined and the larger claim followed. "This sum could ruin me. I am not a criminal but a small business owner trying to make ends meet in Israel." His lawyer, Adv. Guy Hershkovitz, described the action as "excessive and unwarranted."

German is not alone. Additional operators have faced similar notices. Studio owner Alon Steuer received one after a free post that quoted a line from the song without any audio: "The line actually comes from the Superman film. I was sued for NIS 100,000 over content that received just 600 views." A social media manager reported a NIS 50,000 claim tied to an AI-generated video viewed only 300 times.

Supporters of the young creator note that copyright law makes no exception for age or fame. Adv. Ariel Dubinsky, who represents Krigel, told IDF Radio: "It is simple to target the child, yet businesses used the song to advertise and promote their offerings. Any established artist would take the same step."

Adv. Dubinsky added that the work involved substantial production costs reaching tens of thousands of shekels. "Copyright protections apply beyond large corporations. Commercial exploitation of another creation demands prior approval. Safeguarding rights supports an economy that values innovation rather than targeting small operators." He noted that settlement attempts preceded court filings and several matters were resolved amicably.

Abir Kara attacks: "A tool for extortion by threats"

Abir Kara, co-founder of the self-employed group "I am Shulman," voiced strong criticism amid widespread online backlash, particularly because some defendants serve as reservists.

"Israeli courts have become instruments of coercive pressure wielded by aggressive lawyers and repeat litigants," Kara stated. "Copyright enforcement shows excessive disorder. If rights require attention, action should target Instagram or TikTok for offering free library access rather than penalizing ordinary business owners who encountered the material." Kara urged courts to reject such claims and impose substantial costs on frequent plaintiffs and counsel.