Kanye West, Yeezy Entities Owe $438,558 Over Unlicensed 'Hurricane' Sample
Updated
Updated · Rolling Stone · May 13
Kanye West, Yeezy Entities Owe $438,558 Over Unlicensed 'Hurricane' Sample
1 articles · Updated · Rolling Stone · May 13
Eight jurors unanimously found Kanye West and four Yeezy-linked companies liable for $438,558 for using an unreleased demo in an early version of “Hurricane” played at a 2021 Donda listening event.
West was assessed $176,153 personally and Yeezy LLC another $176,153, with Yeezy Supply and Mascotte Holdings owing smaller amounts after jurors accepted that the sample was used without any license or clearance.
ARA, which sued on behalf of four musicians who created the beat “MSD PT2,” argued the sample was the “backbone” of “Hurricane” and tied the infringement to about $5.6 million in ticket, merchandise and streaming revenue from the Atlanta show.
West’s side called the case a “money grab” and noted plaintiffs had once sought $30 million, while ARA said it will appeal an earlier ruling that threw out potentially larger claims tied to the final album version of “Hurricane.”
After years of settling copyright claims, why did Kanye West finally risk taking one to a public trial?
How did a legal distinction between sampling and interpolation save Kanye West from a multi-million dollar lawsuit?
When a concert grosses millions, is a $438k fine a victory for artists or just a business expense?