Beastie Boys’ “Monster” Copyright Infringement Case Upheld By A Judge

A judge has ruled in favor of the Beastie Boys in a copyright infringement trial against the Monster Energy Corporation.

In 2012, Monster produced a series of commercials that both showed imagery of, and using slang associated with, the famous rap group The Beastie Boys. Now, after several months of deliberation and appeals made on the part of Monster, a judge has upheld an initial ruling in favor of the Boys. In case that began about seven months ago, the Beastie Boys sued Monster Energy for using the late Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch’s image in various advertisements back in 2012. It was stated in Yauch’s will that his image or likeness was not to be used for any advertising purposes whatsoever. Yesterday, US District Judge Paul Engelmayer refused to dismiss the original verdict from this past summer, stating that the advertisements that ran would have lead consumers to believe that the group supported the energy beverage. Attorneys representing the energy drink conglomerate say they plan to repeal the ruling.

Earlier in the trial, Mike D confirmed the end of the Beastie Boys as a group, citing promise that was made to MCA shortly before his untimely demise.