Beastie Boys Sue Monster Energy Drink for Copyright Violations: Used Songs and Likenesses Without Permission
The Beastie Boys are suing Monster Energy Drink for copyright violations, and now the case will finally go before a judge.
In 2012, the rockers' lawyers allege that the energy drink company used Beastie Boys' songs and the rockers' likenesses to promote the Ruckus in the Rockies festival. They also claim that social media posts and mixed music appeared on websites without their permission.
Part of the suit reads, "The text accompanying Monster's internet postings, video and MP3 conveyed to consumers the impression that Beastie Boys permitted the use of their name and intellectual property, and participated in connection with Monster's promotion of its products and events." Moreover, it says, the Beastie Boys believe and allege Monster infringed on their copyrights "with a willful disregard of the harm to" the group and it did it "willfully, maliciously, and oppressively."
The posts and songs that hit the web were said to have been available just five days after one of the band members, Adam "MCA" Yaunch's death.
The Beastie Boys say that Monster violated the Latham Act and civil rights laws in New York. The Beastie Boys are demanding that Monster stop using their likenesses and are seeking damages of $150,000 for each violation.
In Yaunch's will, the late rocker said he did not want his likeness or art used for advertising purposes, and that's exactly what the Beastie Boys are alleging Monster to have done.
Beastie Boys member Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz will reportedly take the stand Tuesday. He'll try to convince the courts that Monster "willfully" infringed their copyright privileges.
This is not the first suit that the band has filed against a company. Last year, the band filed suit against GoldieBox for using their 1987 song "Girls" in a commercial. The suit was settled out of court.
Monster claimed that the Beastie Boys gave them permission to use their content after an email communication reply of one word: "Dope."
Monster emailed DJ Z-Trip who created a mash-up mix of Beastie Boys song asking him what he thought of the video. The DJ simply replied, "Dope!"
The Beastie Boys aren't buying it though, and DJ Z-Trip's reply isn't what the band considers permission. The court will decide the fate of Monster and the rockers.