Brooklyn-born band The Beastie Boys were awarded a $1.7 million in their copyright infringement lawsuit against Monster Beverages this week, over the company’s use of the group’s music in a promotional video for annual snowboarding competition. The company organizes and sponsors the event in Canada called "Ruckus in the Rockies."
A federal jury in Manhattan issued the verdict on the eighth day of trial in a copyright dispute between members of the Brooklyn band and the energy drink company over songs the band says Monster used without a license.
The video, which Monster uploaded to YouTube, features the competition and an after-party attended by DJs, including Z-Trip. It featured a remix by Z-Trip of Beastie Boys songs, including "Sabotage," "So Whatch’a Want" and "Make Some Noise."
Initially, The Beastie Boys had sought up to $2.5 million for copyright infringement and false endorsement.
In their defense, Monster claimed that they owed no more than $125,000, calling the case "illogical" and saying an employee had mistakenly believed the company had permission to use the music.
Surviving Beastie Boys members Adam Horovitz, or "Ad-Rock," and Michael Diamond, or "Mike D," attended much of the trial and both testified. Member Adam Yauch passed away the day before the snowboarding event in 2012.
"We're happy," Horovitz said after the hearing. "We just want to thank the jury."
Reid Kahn, a lawyer for Monster, said the company would appeal.
