Kanye West Ordered to Pay Over $438,000 in Copyright Infringement Verdict
A Los Angeles jury has found Kanye West liable for copyright infringement, ordering the rapper and three of his business entities to pay a total of $438,558 in damages. The verdict stems from the unauthorized use of a recording during a high-profile listening event for West’s 2021 album, Donda.
The legal battle was initiated in 2024 by Artist Revenue Advocates (ARA), a Delaware-based LLC. The group’s members—musicians Khalil Abdul-Rahman, Sam Barsh, Dan Seeff, and Josh Mease—alleged that West infringed upon their 2018 composition and sample titled “MSD PT2” within the songs “Hurricane” and “Moon.”
The ‘Donda’ Listening Party Dispute
While the final, Grammy-winning version of “Hurricane” did not include the disputed sample, the plaintiffs focused on a specific performance. They argued that an earlier version of the track, featuring their recording, was played during the first Donda listening event on July 22, 2021. The event, held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, was attended by 40,000 fans.
During the trial, lead attorney for the plaintiffs, Irene Lee, described the sample as the indisputable “backbone” for “Hurricane.” Lee argued that West “just took” the sample, utilized it for the performance, and then discarded it after monetizing the event. According to Lee, the value of “MSD PT2” is now permanently tied to West because the sample will be “forever going to be associated” with him.
Breakdown of Financial Damages
The jury’s decision, delivered on Tuesday, May 12, distributes the financial liability across West and his corporate holdings. The total award of $438,558 is broken down as follows:
- Kanye West (Personally): $176,153
- Yeezy LLC: $176,153
- Mascotte Holdings: $44,627
- Yeezy Supply: $41,625
The Road to the Verdict
The path to this judgment involved several legal hurdles. In February, Judge Michelle Williams Court of the US District Court for the Central District of California issued a mixed ruling. While the judge granted summary judgment on the majority of the claims, a narrower set of allegations was permitted to proceed to trial.
Efforts to settle the matter outside of court failed after a mediation session on February 20 proved unsuccessful. The final verdict followed a weeklong trial in Los Angeles.
Key Takeaways: West v. Artist Revenue Advocates
| Detail | Case Fact |
|---|---|
| Disputed Sample | “MSD PT2” (2018 composition) |
| Infringing Event | July 22, 2021, Donda listening party in Atlanta |
| Total Damages | $438,558 |
| Plaintiffs | Artist Revenue Advocates (ARA) |
This ruling underscores the precarious nature of using uncleared samples in live performances, even when those samples do not appear on the final commercial release of a project. As the music industry continues to navigate the complexities of digital sampling and intellectual property, this case serves as a significant precedent for the financial risks associated with unauthorized usage during large-scale promotional events.