EMI Sues Def Jam Rapstar Producers For $8 Million

The game-makers failed to clear some songs from Kanye West, Lil' Wayne, and more with the label.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

As if clearing samples for songs wasn’t difficult enough, then try doing the same for a hip-hop song in a video game. 4mm Games and Terminal Reality, who are the producers of Def Jam Rapstar, are being sued by EMI for inappropriate use of certain songs. Billboard reports that the suit was filed in New York federal court last week and is allegedly stating substantial damages from the theft of songs performed by Kanye West, DMX, Lil Wayne, and others. 

The complaint notes that EMI notified the game makers about its requirements to grant rights and the music giant’s need for royalties, and that their requests were ignored. The suit lists 54 different songs that were infringed by the game. EMI wants $150,000 for each song, amounting to $8.1 million all together.

[viaBillboard]

Latest in Music