Simmons v. Stanberry
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has held that
the Copyright Act's three-year statute of limitations applies
to exclusive licensees thereby precluding a lawsuit against rapper
Curtis Jackson, also known as "50 Cent," and various
other defendants. Simmons v. Stanberry, Case No.
14-3106-CV (2d Cir., Jan. 15, 2016) (per curiam) (Winter, J,;
Leval, J.; Raggi, J.).
Tyrone Simmons, a writer and performer of hip-hop music, brought
the lawsuit against hip-hop producer William C. Stanberry, Jr.,
rapper 50 Cent and various corporate entities involved in the
production and distribution of the 2007 song "I Get
Money," a song produced by Stanberry and recorded by 50 Cent.
According to Simmons's claim, in February 2006 he purchased an
exclusive license to a beat from Stanberry. However, when 50 Cent
expressed interest in the beat, Stanberry arranged with 50 Cent so
they would collaborate in the production of a song employing the
beat.
