- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
After Monster Energy used Beastie Boys' music in a promotional video, the group sought up to $2.5 million for copyright infringement and false endorsement
The Beastie Boys have won their lawsuit against Monster Beverage, which was initiated in 2012 after the company illegally used Beastie Boys' music in a promotional video, Rolling Stone reports. Following the group's previously-reported testimonials, the Beastie Boys have been awarded $1.7 million, though Monster's lawyer told Reuters that they plan to appeal the verdict.
The Beastie Boys' lawsuit against Monster Energy Drink was initiated in 2012 after the company included parts of the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage," "So What'cha Want," "Make Some Noise" and "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun" on a promotional video on their website.
They also allegedly included a 23-minute medley of Beastie Boys songs made available for download as an MP3. As Rolling Stone reports, the songs were taken from footage of a live set by DJ Z-Trip at the Canadian festival "Ruckus in the Rockies", which was sponsored by Monster and held only a few days after Adam Yauch died in May of that year.
The timing of the lawsuit was particularly relevant as Yauch's will specifically prohibits any company from using the group's music for advertisements. Reportedly, the Beastie Boys sought up to $2.5 million for copyright infringement and false endorsement. According to the Beastie Boys' complaint,
"The public was confused into believing that the plaintiffs sponsored, endorsed and are associated with defendant Monster in promoting defendant Monster's productions and promotional events."
The band claimed that Monster's unauthorized use of its music would cause "irreparable damage". Accordingly, they sought the removal of the video and MP3 from Monster's website.
Monster has responded that the case was "illogical", countering that the most they should owe is $125,000. Reps from the company have admitted that they infringed on the Beastie Boys' copyright, stating that an employee inadvertently believed Monster had permission to use the music.
The Beastie Boys have won their lawsuit against Monster Beverage, which was initiated in 2012 after the company illegally used Beastie Boys' music in a promotional video, Rolling Stone reports. Following the group's previously-reported testimonials, the Beastie Boys have been awarded $1.7 million, though Monster's lawyer told Reuters that they plan to appeal the verdict.
The Beastie Boys' lawsuit against Monster Energy Drink was initiated in 2012 after the company included parts of the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage," "So What'cha Want," "Make Some Noise" and "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun" on a promotional video on their website.
They also allegedly included a 23-minute medley of Beastie Boys songs made available for download as an MP3. As Rolling Stone reports, the songs were taken from footage of a live set by DJ Z-Trip at the Canadian festival "Ruckus in the Rockies", which was sponsored by Monster and held only a few days after Adam Yauch died in May of that year.
The timing of the lawsuit was particularly relevant as Yauch's will specifically prohibits any company from using the group's music for advertisements. Reportedly, the Beastie Boys sought up to $2.5 million for copyright infringement and false endorsement. According to the Beastie Boys' complaint,
"The public was confused into believing that the plaintiffs sponsored, endorsed and are associated with defendant Monster in promoting defendant Monster's productions and promotional events."
The band claimed that Monster's unauthorized use of its music would cause "irreparable damage". Accordingly, they sought the removal of the video and MP3 from Monster's website.
Monster has responded that the case was "illogical", countering that the most they should owe is $125,000. Reps from the company have admitted that they infringed on the Beastie Boys' copyright, stating that an employee inadvertently believed Monster had permission to use the music.
Comments
Post a Comment