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Jay-Z, Kanye Lawsuit: 'Watch the Throne' Duo Settles Copyright Case

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Kanye West and Jay-Z have settled a federal lawsuit brought against them last year by Syl Johnson, a singer and producer who had accused the rappers of lifting one of his songs, TMZ reports.

Johnson took on the 'Watch the Throne' duo last October, claiming they hadn't cleared the portions of his 1967 R&B hit 'Different Strokes' sampled in their song 'The Joy.'

According to Johnson, who has filed similar suits against Michael Jackson and Cypress Hill, Yeezy initially sought to sample the track on his album 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.' After he failed to secure the rights in time, Johnson says, the Chicago MC repurposed the sample for his Jay-Z team-up record.

After both sides agreed to a settlement, the suit was officially dropped. Details regarding dollar amounts have not been made public.

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Guerrilla Remote

Great Live Cypress Hill video from Montreal, by Guerrilla Remote. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WV12LeuDww&feature=plcp&context=C4228f60VDvjVQa1PpcFNpEv32-AxRGxqEuMecMX2Ss_oQrrYnINo%3D

March 22 2012 at 7:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jjohnnyaces

arrogance at it's best, you can destroy a $300,000 car but you can't pay a dude that helped pave the way for you for his music?? can't wait till the REAL relatoonship between these two comes out of the closet

March 13 2012 at 10:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
das

The sad part that most people don't realize is that the whole "copyright" law basically boils down to a sham when it's needed to protect your intellectual property for the music industry. Ask yourselves this question: Who have you EVER heard of taking a label to court and winning?

I can only think of 1 person that did it, that I know of personally. But NO ONE has the money to hold out for court hearing, after hearing, compared to the money a record label has. After you have to go to an arbitrator, and etc., you'll be glad to get $50,000, $100,000 or whatever from a label!

You'll probably die by the time it'll take you to hold out getting a record label to pay you all of the money you're owed. Hence, the reason tracks can be stolen from the BIG names, and they get away with it. Because they ALWAYS end up settling out of court.

At least if your music is legitamtely copyrighted, you can legally have something to stand on in the US court of law. But I mean it's almost like 1 guy suing IBM. 9.9 out of 10, you'll end up settling out of court once they make you an offer. You don't hve the mony to drag out court hearings with IBM. And Sony Records and others are no different.

March 12 2012 at 4:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Room 187

These rappers keep getting sued over the same thing, they should get their **** straight

March 11 2012 at 8:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Room 187

These rappers keep getting sued over these things.. They should get their **** straight

March 11 2012 at 8:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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