Latest news with #JosephStrange
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Rs 935.9 crores lawsuit filed by Eminem against Mark Zuckerberg's Meta and it's not just for money
Lawsuit Targets Meta's In-App Audio Features $150,000 Sought Per Track Across Three Platforms Eminem Seeks Jury Trial and Injunction Unrelated Leak Case Rumours About India Concert Remain Unconfirmed In a major legal development, global rap icon Eminem has initiated a $109 million (Rs 935.9 crores) lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram , and WhatsApp. The lawsuit, filed on May 30, 2025, in Michigan, was brought forward by Eminem's publishing firm, Eight Mile Style , which has accused Meta of copyright infringement involving 243 of the artist's legal action specifically calls out Meta's features like 'Original Audio' and 'Reels,' alleging that the tools actively allow users to incorporate Eminem's music into their own video content without obtaining licenses or offering proper attribution. The complaint labels this use as 'unauthorised storage, reproduction and exploitation' of Eminem's catalogue across Meta's E! News, court documents reveal that Meta initially attempted to license Eminem's music through digital royalty service Audiam. However, after Eight Mile Style declined the request, Meta allegedly continued to use over 200 songs on its audio-enabled features. The lawsuit refers to this conduct as a case of 'rampant' and 'knowing infringement.'Eight Mile Style is pursuing statutory damages of $150,000 per song, per platform—Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This brings the total demand to approximately $109.35 million. The publishing company argues that this infringement has led to both direct financial losses and a devaluation of the copyrights has not yet issued any public comment in response to the lawsuit also seeks a jury trial, along with a permanent injunction preventing Meta from using any of Eminem's music in the future without proper authorisation. In addition to financial compensation, the suit is aimed at preventing what Eight Mile Style describes as an ongoing pattern of unlicensed representatives have further asserted that Meta should not be protected under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act's safe harbor provisions, claiming that the tech giant knowingly enabled mass copyright lawsuit against Meta comes shortly after another legal incident involving Eminem's music. Earlier in the year, Joseph Strange, a former sound engineer at the rapper's studio in Michigan, was indicted on charges of copyright infringement and transporting stolen material across state lines. The FBI revealed that some of Eminem's unreleased music, recorded between 1999 and 2018, was leaked and purchased through crowdfunding in Bitcoin.A spokesperson for Eminem denounced the leaks as harmful to the artist's legacy and stated that all legal means would be employed to protect his intellectual the legal proceedings, unverified rumours circulated online about Eminem performing in Mumbai on June 3, 2025. Despite reports and leaked tour schedules hinting at a concert, no official statement was released by the rapper or his team, and no confirmation has surfaced about any event taking place in reports from February had mentioned an extensive world tour including stops in Asia, North America, and Europe. However, details about the India leg appear to have been inaccurate due to lack of official confirmation.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Studio staffer charged with stealing Eminem tracks to sell online
A former Eminem studio engineer has been charged with stealing the Detroit rapper's unreleased music and selling it online. Federal prosecutors have announced that more than 25 songs have been played or distributed online without the consent of Eminem or his record label. The music was stored on password-protected hard drives and kept in a safe at Eminem's studio in Michigan. Joseph Strange of Holly, Michigan, has been charged with copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods. Strange, who lost his job at the 8 Mile star's studio in 2021,...
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eminem's Former Employee Charged With Leaking Rapper's Music
A former employee of Eminem has been charged with leaking the rapper's music online. Joseph Strange, who worked for the Grammy-winning rapper from 2007 to 2021, has been charged with criminal infringement of a copyright and interstate transportation of stolen goods in connection with the sale of Eminem's unreleased music, according to U.S. attorney Julie Beck. More from The Hollywood Reporter On 'Hot,' K-Pop Stars Le Sserafim Explore Love and Perseverance: "We Are Going to Give Our All" Ed Sheeran Teases New Single "Azizam," First New Album Since 2023 How to Stream 'Opry 100: A Live Celebration' Online for Free On Jan. 16, the FBI was contacted by an employee at Eminem's — real name Marshall Mathers — studio in Ferndale, Michigan, after they found the 'Houdini' artist's unreleased music that he was still working on listed for sale on various websites, according to the criminal complaint. 'The employees recognized this as an image taken directly from a hard drive in the Ferndale studio,' the news release stated. The FBI eventually tracked down those who purchased Eminem's unreleased music and they identified Strange as the seller. 'Protecting intellectual property from thieves is critical in safeguarding the exclusive rights of creators and protecting their original work from reproduction and distribution by individuals who seek to profit from the creative output of others,' Beck said in a statement. If convicted of criminal infringement of a copyright, Strange faces a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. As for the charge of interstate transportation of stolen goods, he could face a maximum of 10 years in prison. A trial cannot be held on felony charges in a criminal complaint, so following an investigation, officials will determine whether to seek a felony indictment. Special agents of the FBI Oakland County Resident Agency are investigating the case. 'This investigation underscores the FBI's commitment to safeguarding artists' intellectual property from exploitation by individuals seeking to profit illegally,' said Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan. 'Thanks to the cooperation of Mathers Music Studio, FBI agents from the Oakland County Resident Agency were able to swiftly enforce federal laws and ensure Joseph Strange was held accountable for his actions.' Eminem returned with new music last year, including his album The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) which earned a Grammy nomination for best rap album at the 2025 ceremony. His single 'Houdini' was also nominated for best rap performance and best music video. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2024: Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Olivia Rodrigo and More
