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Ludacris, Kanye West Win Copyright Trial
Friday, June 2, 2006 By: Kenny Rodriguez
Top-selling rappers Ludacris and Kanye West won a copyright infringement trial yesterday when a jury concluded their 2003 hit "Stand Up" did not copy a song by a little-known New Jersey rap group.
It’s Our Family (IOF), a relatively unknown rap quartet, claimed Ludacris and West lifted snippets from their 2001 demo “Straight Like That,” which they said was received by Ludacris’ camp years earlier.
"I hope the plaintiffs enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame," Ludacris said after the verdict was announced. "This whole experience is proof to me of why I will always fight for what I believe in."
Ten jurors returned the verdict after less than a day of deliberations in the two-week trial in Manhattan’s US District Court.
Ludacris said he never doubted the jury would agree that “Stand Up” sounded nothing like "Straight Like That.” "The only thoughts and ideas I borrow from are those of my own," Ludacris said.
Mel Sachs, the plaintiff’s lawyer, said the verdict was “disappointing but understandable,” since IOF could not present their music expert – who did not appear in court due to a pre-trial lawyer dismissal. "We were at a severe disadvantage," he said, adding that they plan to appeal the verdict.
Ludacris, however, said he saw one of the plaintiffs fall asleep during the trial and was thinking he was not going to let someone like that "ruin my reputation." "I feel no sympathy," he said, "not at all."
West, however, was more sympathetic with the New Jersey group when he testified last week. "It's like that glimmer of hope,” he said. “You're this close. I've been in those shoes. It's hard to make it in this game. I understand why they would sue."
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