Ye denies uncleared sample use in Donda copyright trial
Updated
Updated · Billboard · May 7
Ye denies uncleared sample use in Donda copyright trial
7 articles · Updated · Billboard · May 7
In Los Angeles federal court, he said four producers of “MSD PT2” delayed approving splits for a “Hurricane” demo played at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium in July 2021.
The narrowed case seeks damages tied to the listening party, including ticket and merchandise sales and a $750,000 Apple Music livestream deal, which Ye said fans would have bought regardless.
A judge in February dismissed broader claims over final versions of “Hurricane” and “Moon”, leaving only the demo-sample dispute; it is the first of Ye’s many sampling lawsuits to reach trial.
Can producers claim concert profits over a sample played once in an unreleased demo?
When does an artist's musical 'test drive' become million-dollar copyright theft?