Jay Z and Timberland have won a copyright infringement case for 1999 hit ‘Big Pimpin”.
The superstar rapper’s first major single features flute notes sampled from an Egyptian composer, whose heir does not have the right to pursue a claim for ownership of the track, as ruled by US District Judge Christian Snyder, who dismissed the case before it was due to go to federal court in Los Angeles on Wednesday (21.10.15).
The nephew of musician Baligh Hamdi, whose 1957 song ‘Khosara Khosara’ is repeated throughout the track, sued Jay Z and the track’s producer Timbaland in 2007.
Osama Ahmed Fahmy claims the pair exploited his uncles song without being granted permission.
The verdict was the result of a week-long trial, which took almost a decade to be settled.
Judge Snyder told the courtroom: "Fahmy lacked standing to pursue his claim. In light of that decision, it will not be necessary to submit to the jury whether Big Pimpin’ infringed Khosara Khosara."
And Fahmy’s lawyer, Pete Ross said they will fight the decision.
He said: "We think it’s completely wrong, and we’ll appeal."
Finally, Jay Z and Timberland’s attorney Christine Lepera concluded in a statement: "We and our clients obviously are very pleased with this decision. The court correctly ruled that the plaintiff had no right to bring this case and cannot pursue any claim of infringement in connection with ‘Big Pimpin” whatsoever."
Jay Z wins copyright infringement case over Big Pimpin’
