Beastie Boys Are Headed Back To Court
On the heals of their recent win against Monster Energy The Beastie Boys are headed back to court to fight their third legal battle in a year's time. The band is now facing off with record label TufAmerica over the Beasties' use of the Trouble Funk songs, "Say What" and "Let's Get Small," on the 1989 "Paul's Boutique" album in a suit that was filed the day before group member Adam Yauch died.
TufAmerica is no stranger to court. They have gone after LL Cool J, Frank Ocean and Jay Z in the past. The label says a 1999 administrative agreement with the band allows them to let negotiate licenses for, and bring infringement actions on their behalf. But there is a bit of a wrinkle in the case. Island Records has an 1984 agreement with the band that makes them the owner of Trouble Funk's recordings. This raises the question of who owns what and who has the right to sue. So this one might not go away so quick and easy.
The Beasties have a winning streak in court so far. Their copyright violation lawsuit against Monster Energy ended with the energy drink company coughing up $1.7 million. They also settled with GoldieBlox for use of the Beastie Boys’ 1987 song “Girls” in an ad. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
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