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Friday June 6, 2014 9:44 am
Beastie Boys Awarded $1.7 Million
Beastie Boys have been awarded $1.7 million in a copyright lawsuit.
The surviving members of the hip-hop group - Michael "Mike D" Diamond and Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz - have been handed the payout after winning their legal case against Monster Beverage Corporation, which they sued for the unauthorized use of their music in a video advert.
The commercial featured five of the "Fight For Your Right" hitmakers' songs in a "Beastie Boys Megamix" and a message which read, "RIP MCA" to promote a show in 2012.
The groups' final member Adam "MCA" Yauch, who passed away in the same year after a three-year battle with salivary gland cancer, stated in his will that his likeness or art - which includes the music he made with Beastie Boys - was not to be used in any promotional material. "In no event may my image or name or any music or artistic property created by me be used for advertising purposes," the document read.
Following the recent trial in New York City, which lasted eight days, the jury made their decision in favor of the band, but Monster Beverage Corp's lawyer, Reid Kahm, stated that the company would be appealing the decision, according to Reuters.
Although the drinks company admit to using the tracks in their promotional video, which was posted online for five weeks, they disagree with the amount of money for which it was liable. Speaking after the verdict, Horovitz said, "We're happy. We just want to thank the jury."
During the trial, Diamond effectively announced the end of the band, revealing that he and Horovitz had promised Yauch that they wouldn't make any new music after died.
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