“The Beastie Boys have been hit with lawsuit over four tracks, two on their landmark debut album Licensed To Ill and two from their follow-up, Paul’s Boutique. HipHop /R&B label Tuf America filed the lawsuit against all members of the Beastie Boys on May 3, just one day before member Adam “MCA” Yauch died from cancer on May 4. Tuf America filed the lawsuit in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit claims that the Beastie’s illegally sampled Trouble Funk’s songs “Say What” and “Drop The Bomb.” The group is accused of using portions of Trouble Funk’s 1982 song “Drop The Bomb” on Licensed To Ill and Paul’s Boutique. Tuf America claims the group used portions of the song on their classic 1986 song “Hold It Now Hit It,” as well as “The New Style,” both on Licensed To Ill. Tuf America claims The Beastie Boys used the drums on “Drop The Bomb” on their song “Car Thief” on Paul’s Boutique. Tuf America also claims The Beastie Boys illegally sampled Trouble Funk’s 1982 song “Say What,” for their song “Shadrach,” also on Paul’s Boutique. Tuf America said they did a thorough sound analysis of the tracks in question and concluded that the Beastie Boys illegally incorporated elements of the songs without permission. To complicate the matter, Tuf America claims The Beasties and Capitol Records continue to profit off the album, by way of anniversary and commemorative releases of Licensed To Ill and Paul’s Boutique, which was released in 1989.
Tuf America is seeking a trial to determine the amount of punitive and exemplary damages, if any.”

[via AHH]

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