Def Jam Rapstar faces legal wrath of EMI

Music giant EMI sues the makers of Def Jam Rapstar over unauthorized use of music it has rights to.

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Music giant EMI isn't happy with the makers of Def Jam Rapstar. And when companies can't resolve their differences ... yeah, court battle.

EMI filed suit in New York federal court last week alleging that developer Terminal Reality and publisher 4mm Games failed to get the proper authorization to use many of the songs in the rap karaoke game, including songs by Kanye West and Lil Wayne, among others.

The EMI lawsuit said the company made several attempts to alert the game makers that royalties needed to be accounted for, but those contacts went unheeded, according a story in the Hollywood Reporter. EMI is claiming part ownership in 54 songs in the game.

Statutory damages could add up to around $8 million, and that does not include any profits from the game, which EMI also wants. Also at issue is the potential damages for the karaoke rights and music video aspects of the game, as EMI claims it owns the rights to distribute, display and publicly perform the songs listed.

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