Feb 24, 2015 By S2S Staff
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Live Nation is getting sued over Jay’s song ‘Big Pimpin.’ Osama Ahmed Fahmy is the nephew of a deceased Egyptian composer and is suing for copyright infringement. And although there was a settlement in 2001 between Big Pimpin’ producers and EMI, earlier this month, Fahmy brought a summary judgment motion arguing that Jay Z has not conveyed a valid license to make the sample.
According to The Hollywood Reporter:
The marathon litigation over Jay Z‘s sampling of an old Egyptian tune for his blockbuster song “Big Pimpin’ ” took a new turn on Wednesday after the nephew of a deceased Egyptian composer filed a new copyright infringement lawsuit against Live Nation.
The 8-year-old case examining allegations that the song’s unmistakably catchy hook illicitly derives from “Khosara, Khosara” from the 1960 Egyptian film Fata Ahlami. As that case proceeds, a new lawsuit was launched yesterday that aims to hold Live Nation responsible for its part.
According to the complaint, “Big Pimpin’ ” has been mentioned regularly in Jay Z concert previews and a “substantial percentage of people who purchased tickets to Jay Z’s shows hoped he would perform ‘Big Pimpin’,’ expected he would perform ‘Big Pimpin’,’ and would have been disappointed if he had not performed ‘Big Pimpin’.’ On information and belief, Live Nation has profited substantially from Jay Z’s performance of ‘Big Pimpin’,’ including, but not limited to, profits from ticket sales, merchandise, parking, concessions, and other revenue streams.”
The latest legal action attempts to lay direct and contributory copyright liability on the concert promotion giant.
“Live Nation knew that ‘Big Pimpin’ ‘ infringed upon the ‘Khosara, Khosara’ copyright, but it nevertheless continued to sponsor, promote, and facilitate Jay-Z’s performances of the infringing work,” states the lawsuit.
The newest lawsuit against Live Nation, filed by attorneys at Browne George Ross, seeks actual damages and profits as well as an injunction restraining Live Nation from promoting, producing or facilitating any live performance of “Big Pimpin’.”
