The rap group, who initially sought $2 million, will receive $1.7 million from the energy drink company who included five Beastie Boys songs in their promotional ad without permission.
- June 6, 2014
AceShowbiz -
Beastie Boys wins the copyright infringement lawsuit against Monster Beverage Corp. A jury told the energy drink company to pay the rap group $1.7 million during a civil trial in federal court in Manhattan on Thursday, June 5.
Two surviving members of the collective, Adam "Ad Rock" Horovitz and Michael "Mike D" Diamond, sued Monster in 2012. Initially seeking $2 million, they claimed the company had used their songs in a promotional video without their permission.
Monster admitted to committing the infringement, but said they included the boys' songs in their ad because they thought they had permission to do so. They insisted that damages wouldn't exceed $125,000.
Both Ad Rock and Mike D were called as witnesses at the trial which started last week. Mike D, who testified late last week, revealed that Beastie Boys' career was over after the death of another member Adam "MCA" Yauch in 2012.
"We have not been able to tour since MCA, Adam Yauch, died," he explained. "We can't make new music."
