Beastie Boys Sue Monster Energy Drink Execs For Copyright Infringement
The surviving members of the Beastie Boys are about to drop a beat on the company responsible for manufacturing and marketing Monster energy drinks. According to WENN, the pioneering rap group is none too pleased with the fact that executives have used some of their music without permission. As a result, the boys have filed a lawsuit against the company for copyright infringement.
The lawsuit claims that the powers that be working behind-the-scenes at Monster used some of the Beastie Boys’ music for a recent promotional video. To make matters worse, the company is allowing consumers of its products to download a free track from the group without their permission. Representatives from Monster Beverage Company have not yet commented on the case.
In other Beastie news, Adam “MCA” Yauch’s will has been submitted to the Manhattan Surrogate court in New York. The BBC reports that, while Yauch left his $6 million fortune to his wife and 13-year-old daughter, he did leave specific instructions on how his art should be handled.
Rolling Stone magazine managed to get their hands on a copy of the document, which reads, “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in no event may my image or name or any music or any artistic property created by me be used for advertising purposes.” If Monster had any questions about the Boys’ philosophy on how their music should be licensed, I’m sure they’ve all been properly answered.
Yauch, who co-founded the group with Michael “Mike D” Diamond and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz in 1981, passed away from complications due to cancer earlier this year. The trio’s latest album, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, is their eighth studio effort since debuting Licensed to Ill way back in the year that was 1986. In 2012, the Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone currently lists them as the number 77 on their 100 Greatest Artist of All Time.
