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Rick Ross Sues LMFAO For Copyright Infringement

blame it on Meka January 3, 2014
rick ross censored

… and the inner cynic in me can’t help but scream out “the irony of it all.”

According to the Hollywood Reporter, William has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against LMFAO’s Stefan Kendal Gordy (Redfoo) and Skyler Austen Gordy (SkyBlu), Kobalt Music Publishing and Kia Motors America, saying that LMFAO’s 2010 mega-hit “Party Rock Anthem” essentially rips off Rick’s own 2006 hit single “Hustlin'” with the seemingly innocuous (and now inexplicably controversial) lyric “Everday I’m shufflin’.”

According to a lawsuit filed in Florida federal court, “The use of ‘Hustlin’ ‘ in ‘Party Rock Anthem’ is readily apparent, despite the slight change from ‘Everyday I’m hustlin’…’ to ‘Everyday I’m shufflin’…’ and constitutes, inter alia, the creation of an unauthorized derivative work.” It’s further alleged by the plaintiffs that the phrase is “performed in a manner to sound like” Ross’ own, and “is an obvious attempt to capitalize on the fame and success of “Hustlin’.”

My head hurts.

With reports that Rick himself beat a lawsuit against “Freeway” Rick Ross over the actual name “Rick Ross,” William is essentially coming for his 700% from the success of “Party Rock Anthem,” which sold a bajillion copies, help LMFAO launch a clothing line, was used in those annoying Kia adverts with those hamsters/gerbils/animated coons, and a whole heap of other financially successful ventures.

What a way to kick off 2014, right?