Monster Energy Drink Sued Again for Using Beastie Boys Music

Photo by Phil Andelman

Earlier this year, the Beastie Boys were awarded $1.7 million in their copyright lawsuit against Monster Energy Drink; the band claimed the company illegally used their music in a promotional video. Now, the energy drink company are being sued once again for using the Beasties’ music, this time by two Universal Music Group affiliates, Yahoo! News reports. 

Capitol Records and Universal-Polygram International Publishing are reportedly seeking $1.2 million for the infringement of five Beastie Boys songs. This lawsuit, like the previous one, targets a video that promoted an annual snowboarding competition in Canada called “Ruckus in the Rockies”. It featured Z-Trip remixing Beastie Boys tracks.

“Although Monster Energy has great respect for the verdict of the jury, we strongly disagree with it,” the company wrote in a statement following the initial verdict.

Shortly after Yauch died in 2012, it was reported that his will prohibited the use of Beastie Boys songs in advertisements. Previously, the Beastie Boys also engaged in a legal battle with the toy company GoldieBlox over the use of the song “Girls”.

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