Ludacris and Kanye's "Stand Up" Victory
"Stand Up" is straight-up original.
After deliberating for less than a day, a New York jury ruled Thursday that Kanye West and Ludacris did not violate another group's copyright when they recorded their hit 2003 single "Stand Up," which was later featured on Chris "Ludacris" Bridges' Chicken & Beer album.
New Jersey foursome I.O.F. (which stands for It's Only Family) and production company BMS Entertainment/Heat Music LLC had sued the platinum-selling rappers for allegedly using beats and lyrics from a song I.O.C. made in 2001 called "Straight Like That." The main point of contention was that both "Straight Like That" and "Stand Up" use the phrase "like that" more than 80 times, according to the lawsuit.
"I hope the plaintiffs enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame," Ludacris told reporters after the verdict was announced. "This whole experience is proof to me of why I will always fight for what I believe in? The only thoughts and ideas I borrow from are those of my own."
Both he and West testified last week that they, despite the plaintiffs' claims, had never heard the song "Straight Like That" before this legal issue arose. I.O.F.'s attorney, Mel Sachs, had argued that Ludacris and West could have gotten their hands on a number of demo copies of his clients' song, despite the fact that it never made much of an impact beyond college radio airwaves.
Outside the Manhattan courthouse, Ludacris, who was on his way to Los Angeles to promote a documentary he narrated, took time to pose for pictures and sign autographs for adoring fans who probably all have a copy of Chicken & Beer and at least one of West's Grammy-winning albums at home. West was not in court Thursday.
Implying that his less famous camp was at a severe disadvantage, plaintiff Jeff Billingsley, owner of Cobble One Records and I.O.C.'s manager, told reporters that they were planning to appeal the verdict.
"Probably Ludacris feels good that he got over this, but he has not gotten away," he told Reuters.
Sachs told reporters that an expert witness he had been planning to call to dispute the idea that both songs' use of the phrase "like that" was more than coincidental would have helped their side. Instead, U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel excluded the musical expert's testimony.
"The verdict was disappointing but understandable in the wake of this order to preclude the plaintiffs' expert in the case," Sachs told Reuters.
While on the stand May 25, West told the court that he understood where I.O.F. was coming from.
"It's like that glimmer of hope. You're this close," he said. "I've been in those shoes. It's hard to make it in this game. I understand why they would sue."
Ludacris, however, said today that he felt "no sympathy, not at all," for the plaintiffs who tried to "ruin [his] reputation."
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