Beastie Boys Sue Monster Energy Drink for Copyright Violations

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.

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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.


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