Overview
In an order issued today, Judge Nathan granted in part and denied in part a motion to dismiss copyright infringement claims against hip-hop group the Beastie Boys. The plaintiff, copyright administrator for the 1980s funk/R&B band Trouble Funk, alleged that the Beastie Boys' "sampling" of parts of Trouble Funk songs on hit mid-80s albums Licensed to Ill and Paul's Boutique were infringing. In her ruling, Judge Nathan analyzed the samples on a song-by-song basis, dismissing four out of the six claims. In addition, Judge Nathan adopted the Beastie Boys position that the "injury" rule, rather than "discovery" rule, governed the application of the three-year statute of limitations for infringement claims. As a result, Judge Nathan limited the plaintiffs to suing over alleged infringement that occurred since May 2009 -- three years prior to filing the lawsuit.