Rick Ross Has Sued LMFAO For Copyright Infringement

Rick Ross sues LMFAO over "Party Rock Anthem"

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Rick Ross and Jermaine "Mayne Zayne" Jackson, one half of the production duo The Runners, have sued pop group LMFAO for copyright infringement. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ross and Jackson have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in a Florida federal court over the group's 2010 song "Party Rock Anthem." The chorus of the song includes the lyric, "Every day I'm shufflin'," a direct interpolation of the hook from Ross' breakout hit "Hustlin'." LMFAO's publishers Kobalt Music Group and car company Kia Motors America (who have licensed "Party Rock Anthem" for commercials) are also defendants.

The lawsuit, as reported by THR, reads, "The use of 'Hustlin' ' in 'Party Rock Anthem' is readily apparent, despite the slight change from 'Everyday I’m hustlin' …' to 'Everyday I'm shufflin' …' and constitutes, [among other things], the creation of an unauthorized derivative work..." And that the lyric is, "performed in a manner to sound like" Ross. They also call it "[...]an obvious attempt to capitalize on the fame and success of 'Hustlin''... The phrase is so important to the success of 'Party Rock Anthem,' that LMFAO launched a highly successful clothing line, Party Rock Clothing, that features the phrase on T-shirts and other clothing items."

Ross and Jackson have reportedly contacted the defendants who have ignored warnings. Ross is now seeking the maximum in damages.

[via Vulture]

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