Companies that participated in the global Jerusalema Challenge, a dance trend that began in February of last year might allegedly have to pay royalties to Warner International.

The Warner Music Group has already sent invoices to various video posters in Germany sparked a social media outcry.

The trend started when Fenómenos do Semba, a group in Angola, south-west Africa, recorded themselves dancing to a song by South African DJ Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode while eating and without dropping their plates.

The dance challenge would then go viral as humans who were confined to their homes by the novel Covid-19 looked for ways to remain jubilant and social. Using the song, people around the globe who were separated from friends and family sought a sense of togetherness and connectivity on the internet.

The music giant has now charged various German government entities for using the song to promote their institutions.

Speaking to German national news agency DPA, a spokesperson for Duesseldorf University Hospital which participated in the trend confirmed receiving mail from Warner, prompting them to pull down the video.

In Kenya, the move by Warner could have far-reaching consequences for companies like Naivas Supermarket which participated in the trend

According to copyright Lawyer Liz Lenjo, nothing is stopping Warner from filing a similar claim in Kenya. Lenjo while speaking to local journalists argues that Warner can demand money from Kenyan organizations that partook in the Jerusalema Challenge.