 in their copyright lawsuit against Monster Beverage Corp){kind=link}
The surviving members of the Beastie Boys have won $1.7 million (£1.01 million) in their copyright lawsuit against Monster Beverage Corp.
The case centred on a video created by the corporation which used five Beastie Boys songs in a “Beastie Boys Megamix” and flashed the message “RIP MCA” on screen to promote a show in 2012 without the band’s knowledge or permission. The late Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch stated in his will that his likeness or art, including his work with the Beastie Boys, was not to be used for advertising purposes.
Following an eight day trial the jury found in favour of the band, though Monster’s lawyer, Reid Kahn, said the company would appeal, reports Reuters. When the verdict was read Adam Horovitz aka Ad-Rock hugged his partner Kathleen Hanna, formerly of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre and now fronting The Julie Ruin. He commented: “We’re happy. We just want to thank the jury.”
During the trial Beastie Boys member Michael Diamond aka Mike D effectively announced the end of the band, saying that they promised the late MCA they would not make any new music after he passed away. “We have not been able to tour since MCA, Adam Yauch, died,” Diamond said. “We can’t make new music.” When asked if the band would have given permission for their work to be used in the Monster promo, Mike D said: “Absolutely no”.