(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) – Multi-platinum-selling rapper The Game has filed a lawsuit against Koch Entertainment and related companies, claiming 81 copyright infringements for releasing five CDs and a DVD without securing licenses for his compositions.
The complaint alleges that prior to the release of his debut album, “The Documentary,” on Aftermath/G-Unit/Interscope, he recorded “several dozen” songs with Joseph Tom, a.k.a. JT the Bigga Figga and his Get Low Recordz in 2001, according to the Billboard.
A written agreement from The Game, otherwise known as Jayceon Taylor, purported to give Tom and his company the right to release the recordings, provided the Game was paid 50% of all gross profits. The deal did not assign the Game’s 50% copyright interest in the sound recordings for his performances as the lead singer or any copyright interest in the compositions for his words or lyrics, the suit claims.
The Game alleges that Koch, which released the CDs and DVDs through its Fastlife Records, did not secure rights or licenses form him, and he has not received any compensation for those releases. The suit asks for an injunction against Koch and damages for the releases.
“It is unfortunate that Koch has single-handedly ignored our request to half distribution of the Game’s early demos,” lawyer Alan Gutman told Billboard. “Koch has just released another illegal Game album, [and] this is a mere attempt to confuse Game’s fans as he is preparing to release his sophomore album in June with Aftermath.
A spokesperson for Koch told Billboard, “The rights were legally obtained and purchased by Fastlife Records. We look forward to proving this in a court of law.” –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
