MCA – Skin Back Alley

Photo: Phil Andelman

The surviving members of the Beastie Boys have won damages of $1.7million (£1.01million) in their copyright lawsuit against Monster Beverage Corp.

The band’s lawsuit centred around a video made by the corporation that featured five Beastie Boys songs in a “megamix” and used the text “RIP MCA” on screen. The video was used to promote a show in 2012 and was made without the band’s knowledge or permission.

The late Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch stated in his will that his likeness or art, including his work with the Beastie Boys, was not to be used for advertising purposes.

Reuters reports that after an eight day trial the jury found in favour of the band, but Monster Beverage Corp. have stated through their lawyer, Reid Kahn, that they will appeal against the verdict. Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz (aka Ad-Roc) stated: “We’re happy. We just want to thank the jury.”

During the trial Beastie Boys member Michael Diamond (aka Mike D) effectively announced the end of the band, saying that they promised the late MCA they would not make any new music after he passed away. “We have not been able to tour since MCA, Adam Yauch, died,” Diamond said. “We can’t make new music.” When asked if the band would have given permission for their work to be used in the Monster promo, Mike D said: “Absolutely no”.

A petition has been launched calling for the intersection that features on the cover of Beastie Boys album Paul’s Boutique to be renamed ‘Beastie Boys Square.’

Fans are signing the petition, which was started by Brooklyn resident LeRoy McCarthy, in a bid to have the name of the corner of Ludlow Street and Rivington Street changed.

McCarthy writes: “The album, released July 25th 1989, was groundbreaking, and it encompassed these Boys from NYC, rapping about life and times from their point of view. Because of the album cover photo, and the Beastie Boys were ever-changing NYC artists, the location of Ludlow Street and Rivington Street would be a great place to honor Beastie Boys with a corner co-naming.”

In May of this year, a ceremony took place to rename a Brooklyn playground The Adam Yauch Playground. Yauch, a.k.a Beastie Boys rapper MCA, died in May 2012 following a battle with cancer. He had been a former Brooklyn resident and visited the playground, formerly called the Palmetto Playground, as a child.

Tag: MCA

Beastie Boys win $1.7million in damages from Monster Beverage Corp.

Petition calls for intersection to be renamed ‘Beastie Boys Square’