Kanye West Hit With Six-Figure Verdict Over Uncleared Hurricane Sample
A jury found Kanye West (Ye) and his companies liable for six-figure damages after determining he infringed the copyright by using an unreleased demo track, MSD PT2, as the backbone of an early version of Hurricane shown at a Donda listening event. Ye was personally liable for $176,153, Yeezy LLC for $176,153, with Yeezy Supply and Mascotte Holdings ordered to pay $41,625 and $44,627 respectively. Plaintiffs Artists Revenue Advocates argued there was no license or clearance; Ye testified he removed the sample after clearance issues. The judge previously dismissed some related interpolation claims, and appeals could follow.