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Beastie Boys Sue Monster Energy Drink For Use of Songs

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Photo Credit: Associated Press

Hip-hop/rock group the Beastie Boys are suing Monster Energy Corp. for copyright infringement in their promotional videos for the 2012 Ruckus in the Rockies event.

Michael “Mike D” Diamond, Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz, and the estate of Adam “MCA” Yauch, who died of throat cancer in May, claim that Monster is creating an association with the band by using unlicensed tracks to promote their snowboarding event.

The lawsuit alleges the video is “comprised substantially of excerpts from the Beastie Boys Sound Recordings and the Beastie Boys Musical Compositions totaling more than three minutes in duration.”

“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.”

Songs that were used include “So Watcha Want,” “Sabotage,” “Make Some Noise” and “Looking Down the Barrel of A Gun.”

Rolling Stone reported that Yauch’s will stated: “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.”

The Beastie Boys are looking for unspecified damages for the copyright violation.

Speaking on Yauch’s passing, Diamond told Rolling Stone that he and Horovitz will continue to collaborate music together, but wasn’t sure if they would release it in a band format.

The Beastie Boys last record “Hot Sauce Committee Part 2” was released last year after long delays due to Yauch undergoing cancer screening treatments, which also prevented the band from touring.

To coincide with the album, Yauch directed a star-studded “Fight For Your Right Revisited” video where the band members were played by Seth Rogen, Elijah Wood, Danny McBride and future versions played by John C. Reilly, Will Ferrell and Jack Black.

The Beastie Boys were also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame shortly after Yauch’s death this spring.