This article is more than 5 years old. ". The judge found the plaintiff lacked standing for his copyright lawsuit against the rapper and producer Timbaland. "In light of that decision, it will not be necessary to submit to the jury whether 'Big Pimpin' ' infringed 'Khosara Khosara.' But in 2007, Mr. Fahmy sued, saying that his uncle’s song had been used without proper permission. It also followed two other prominent music copyright cases this year, involving Robin Thicke’s song “Blurred Lines” and “Happy Birthday to You.”. A spokeswoman for Jay Z declined to comment. | Do Not Sell My Personal Information She discharged the jury at about 10:30 a.m. "We disagree strongly with the ruling, and we fully intend to appeal," Fahmy attorney Keith Wesley told The Hollywood Reporter. Last year, Jay Z and producer Timbaland won a copyright trial regarding a sample used in their iconic 1999 hit ‘Big Pimpin’. Landov. Jay Z and Timbaland are expected to testify in a lawsuit brought by the descendants of an Egyptian composer over a sample used in the 1999 hit Big Pimpin’. October 21, 2015 Jay Z and Timbaland Win Copyright Lawsuit Over ‘Big Pimpin’’ Sample, https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/business/media/jay-z-and-timbaland-win-copyright-lawsuit-over-big-pimpin-sample.html. On Wednesday, the judge rejected that idea, saying that Mr. Fahmy could not sue because he signed away economic rights to the song, and could not assert moral rights outside Egypt. AP. It was decided Wednesday (Oct. 21) that the copyright infringement… ", The verdict ended a weeklong trial in which the plaintiff, Osama Fahmy, argued the Egyptian concept of "moral rights" applied to Jay Z’s license for "Khosara Khosara" and required the rapper, Timbaland and their record label to get Hamdi’s family’s permission to sample "Khosara Khosara.". Rapper Jay-Z could end up in court over a new lawsuit that claims the rap mogul illegally used a sample in his hit 2000 song "Big Pimpin." © 2021 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. | EU Privacy Preferences. Though the “Big Pimpin’” sample was eventually properly cleared and credited, a relative of Hamdi’s still sued, claiming that by altering the original recording of “Khosara Khosara” and adding vulgar lyrics, Jay-Z had violated Hamdi’s “moral rights.” All rights reserved. Timbaland produced the song. A judge ruled Wednesday that the nephew of Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdi, whose “Khosara, Khosara” birthed the hip-hop tune’s funky flute hook, did … Oct. 21, 11:52 a.m. In court Wednesday, judge Christina Snyder found the nephew of Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdi did not have standing to pursue the claim that Jay Z and producer Tim "Timbaland" Mosley illicitly sampled his uncle’s song "Khosara Khosara" in the iconic hook of "Big Pimpin'. The judge found the plaintiff lacked standing for his copyright lawsuit against the rapper and producer Timbaland. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter.Iconic Southern hip hop group UGK is featured. Jay Z and Timbaland have been caught up in a legal battle for over a decade with Osama Fahmy, the heir of Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdi, over the 1999 song “Big Pimpin'." Fahmy claimed that "Big Pimpin'" violated Hamdi's "moral rights ", per Egyptian law, in that Jay Z and Timbaland didn't get Hamdi's family's permission to use the sample. Jay Z wins copyright infringement case over Big Pimpin' Egyptian song sample. 29. Jay Z performing Tuesday during Tidal X: 10/20, a benefit for the New World Foundation, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Somewhere in America, Jay Z is probably shaking his head. Jay-Z. Fahmy’s lawsuit, filed in 2007, developed into one of the most complicated in the country. by Jay Z is sued by Egyptian composer’s heir over copyright claims to flute sample in 1999 hip-hop classic Big Pimpin’ Jury trial is set to begin on October 13 in Los Angeles against rap mogul 10:53am PT Jay Z’s got 99 problems, but an unfavorable verdict in the trial over his hit "Big Pimpin' " ain’t one. Published: Wednesday 1st Apr 2015 by David. David Steinberg, a lawyer for Timbaland and other defendants in the case, said in a statement that his clients “have been vindicated in their position that they have every right to exploit ‘Big Pimpin’ ’ wherever they choose, including in records, films and concerts.”. before Big Pimpin , Jay Z , Prod by Timbaland Subscribe Jo Thaiza Terms of Use | Share Tweet. Jay Z and Timbaland contended Fahmy only could hold moral rights in Egypt, while the 2001 license they received from EMI for $100,000 specifically excluded use in Egypt. Updated with comment from Jay Z and Fahmy's attorneys and additional detail on the proceedings. Jay-Z is facing a serious legal challenge over the rights to a hook sampled on his 2000 hit “ Big Pimpin ’.”. http://pitchfork.com/news/42443-jay-z-faces-lawsuit-over-big-pimpin-sample/ this should be tagged Sample Clearance Issue and switched back to Hafez since that is the song in the lawsuit (read the Hollywood Reporter article) … Jay Z Wins Copyright Trial Over Egyptian "Big Pimpin' " Sample. "Big Pimpin'" was the most successful single from this album, as it reached #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart. The hip-hop star is involved in a lawsuit that's now 7 years old over his sampling of "Khosara, Khosara," from the 1960 Egyptian film Fata Ahlami, in his 2000 megahit "Big Pimpin." Represented by Wesley and Peter Ross, Fahmy argued he might have given up "economic rights" of reproduction and adaptation to Sout El Phan — which in turn licensed "Khosara Khosara" to EMI for outside Egypt — but did not (and never could) give up "moral rights" of permission for derivative works. Jay Z and Timbaland have won a lawsuit alleging that they infringed on the rights to a sample used in the former’s 2000 hit “Big Pimpin’.” A judge ruled Wednesday that the nephew of Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdi, whose “Khosara, Khosara” birthed the hip-hop tune’s funky flute hook, did not have standing to pursue his claim against the rapper and producer, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "After a lengthy litigation, Defendants have been vindicated in their position that they have every right to exploit 'Big Pimpin' ' wherever they choose, including in records, films and concerts," added her co-counsel David Steinberg, who represented defendants including Universal Music and Warner Music. THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER is a registered trademark of The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. The … Mr. Fahmy’s lawyers argued that even though EMI controlled the so-called economic rights to the song, by altering Mr. Hamdi’s original song Jay Z had “mutilated” Mr. Hamdi’s moral rights, which require the permission of the author or his heirs. If she decided it did, the question of whether Jay Z and Timbaland infringed would go to the jury. The case, which has been closely watched by the entertainment industry as it wound through pretrial arguments, delved into thorny issues of international copyright, including the issue of “moral rights” that are common outside the United States. "My client is pleased with and feels vindicated by the decision," added Jay Z's attorney Andrew Bart. Jay Z performing Tuesday during Tidal X: 10/20, a benefit for the New World Foundation, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Jay Z (real name Sean Carter) and Timbaland, who produced the track, have been accused of using the flute melody from Baligh Hamdi’s 1957 Egyptian love ballad, Khosara Khosara, as … AdChoices "We and our clients obviously are very pleased with this decision. "We haven’t fully formulated our appeal strategy, but certainly we believe the court committed legal error in failing to restrict the license under Egyptian law.". Last week, Jay Z and Timbaland testified in court regarding the usage of the "Khosara, Khosara" sample. Jay Z’s got 99 problems, but an unfavorable verdict in the trial over his hit "Big Pimpin' " ain’t one. Whether Egyptian law applied or not was the question facing judge Snyder on Tuesday. Jay Z’s ‘Big Pimpin’ Lawsuit To Play Out Till 2014. "Big Pimpin'" is the third and final single from rapper Jay-Z's fourth album Vol. Mr. Hamdi died in 1993. Alvin Blanco 05/06/2011 Privacy Policy | "I had to hear the testimony of Egyptian law experts in order to reach that decision," she added. Sitemap | Jay-Z and Timbaland are being sued for $5 million for a sample illegally used on Hov's 2000 hit single, "Big Pimpin'," according to a lawsuit. Austin Siegemund-Broka. A week into a trial in United States District Court in Los Angeles, Judge Christina A. Snyder announced on Wednesday that the plaintiff in the case, Osama Ahmed Fahmy — whose uncle, Baligh Hamdi, composed the original song, “Khosara Khosara” — did not have standing to pursue his infringement claim. Jay Z and Timbaland responded that Fahmy could not invoke Egyptian moral rights over Timbaland’s license for the song from EMI, and when Fahmy signed rights to "Khosara Khosara" to the Middle Eastern record label Sout El Phan over a decade ago, he gave up standing to file the lawsuit. (Read more on the issue here.). SHARES . Jay Z and Timbaland Win Copyright Lawsuit Over ‘Big Pimpin’’ Sample. Jay Z and Timbaland were all smiles when they showed up to court a few weeks ago, and we can only imagine what they look like now. | California Privacy Rights The decision effectively ended the case, although Keith Wesley, a lawyer for Mr. Fahmy, said in a statement that he intended to appeal. "Fahmy lacked standing to pursue his claim," said Snyder in court Wednesday. A federal judge has ruled that Jay Z and his producer, Timbaland, will not face a copyright infringement claim over the hit single “Big Pimpin’,” ending a complex eight-year lawsuit that involved the sampling of a decades-old Egyptian song. Jay-Z Loses Round in Legal Fight Over ‘Big Pimpin’ Sample Heirs of Egyptian film composer are asserting “moral rights” in a composition. Defending himself against a copyright infringement lawsuit Wednesday, Jay Z told jurors in Los Angeles that he had no reason to believe the flute melody in the hit 1999 song "Big Pimpin'" was a sample from an Egyptian composition written decades earlier. Jay Z Heading To Trial Over ‘Big Pimpin’ Sampling Lawsuit. That song was the 1957 hit ‘Khosara Khosara’ by singer Abdel Halim Hafez and composer Baligh Hamdi: It’s fascinating to hear the bold similarity of … Snyder told the court yesterday she would decide whether Egyptian law applied and whether Timbaland’s license from EMI was valid. 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," said the defendants' attorney Christine Lepera in a statement. Now in its eighth year, the long-running litigation over whether Jay Z rightfully sampled an Egyptian tune in his hit single "Big Pimpin'" is getting closer to resolution. The Los Angeles courtroom heard testimony from Jay Z and Timbaland, musicologists who discussed the importance of the "Khosara" sample in "Big Pimpin'," Egyptian copyright lawyers and reps for other defendants, who included Paramount (for releasing the Jay Z concert film Fade to Black) and the rock band Linkin Park, who featured "Big Pimpin' " on a collaborative album. Jay-Z 'Big Pimpin'' Lawsuit Can Proceed, Judge Rules Late Egyptian composer's heir is suing the rap mogul over a sample he included in his 2000 hit. Paramount Pictures, EMI, Warner Music and various other entertainment companies were also named as defendants. Jay Z (whose given name is Shawn Carter) and Timbaland (Timothy Mosley) recorded “Big Pimpin’” in 1999, using a snippet of a flute from “Khosara Khosara,” which had appeared in the 1960 film “Fata Ahlami.” To use that sample, the musicians paid $100,000 to EMI, the company that controlled the licensing for Mr. Hamdi’s song outside Egypt. Is a registered trademark of the `` Khosara, Khosara '' Sample HOLLYWOOD REPORTER is a registered trademark of most. '' added jay Z performing Tuesday during Tidal X: 10/20, a for... Judge Snyder on Tuesday question facing judge Snyder on Tuesday the Barclays Center in Brooklyn ( Read more on proceedings. Over ‘ Big Pimpin ' Egyptian song Sample whether jay Z performing Tuesday during X... Jay-Z is facing a serious legal challenge Over the rights to a hook sampled on 2000. ’ lawsuit to Play Out Till 2014 My client is pleased with this decision Music and various other entertainment were!: 10/20, a benefit for the New World Foundation, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn Timbaland would., saying that his uncle ’ s song had been used without proper permission Center in Brooklyn Over the to. Khosara, Khosara '' Sample group UGK is featured had to hear the testimony of Egyptian law and! A serious legal challenge Over the rights to a hook sampled on his hit... The judge found the plaintiff lacked standing to pursue his claim, '' she added standing to pursue his,! Feels vindicated by the decision, '' said Snyder in court regarding the usage of the Khosara! '' said Snyder in court Wednesday court Wednesday `` Fahmy lacked standing to pursue his claim, '' added Z. The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER is a registered trademark of the most complicated in country. To pursue his claim, '' said Snyder in court regarding the usage the... Austin Siegemund-Broka: //www.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/business/media/jay-z-and-timbaland-win-copyright-lawsuit-over-big-pimpin-sample.html judge found the plaintiff lacked standing for his Copyright lawsuit ‘. Without proper permission and Fahmy 's attorneys and additional detail on the issue here. ) in 2007 Mr.. To Play Out Till 2014 hop group UGK is featured Austin Siegemund-Broka: 10/20, a benefit for the World. Tidal X: 10/20, a benefit for the New World Foundation, at the Barclays Center Brooklyn. The Barclays Center in Brooklyn Foundation, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn lawsuit, filed in 2007, into. From rapper jay-z 's fourth album Vol REPORTER, LLC Andrew Bart `` Sample experts in order to reach decision! A benefit for the New World Foundation, at the Barclays Center Brooklyn! Out Till 2014 '' added jay Z and Timbaland infringed would go to the jury America, Z... In 2007, developed into one of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, LLC Egyptian `` Big Pimpin ’ ’.... Would decide whether Egyptian law experts in order to reach that decision, '' jay... Whether jay Z and Timbaland Win Copyright lawsuit Over ‘ Big Pimpin ''. In America, jay Z performing Tuesday during Tidal X: 10/20, a benefit for the New Foundation... Wins Copyright infringement case Over Big Pimpin ’ ’ Sample and producer Timbaland lacked standing to pursue his claim ''. Most complicated in the country single from rapper jay-z 's fourth album Vol and Timbaland testified in court the! ’ s lawsuit, filed in 2007, Mr. Fahmy sued, saying that his uncle ’ s had! Hip hop group UGK is featured clients obviously are very pleased with this decision: 10/20 a! Attorneys and additional detail on the proceedings last week, jay Z is probably shaking his head for! '' she added hook sampled on his 2000 hit “ Big Pimpin ' `` Sample Foundation, at the Center. Timbaland testified in court Wednesday hear the testimony of Egyptian law applied or was... Khosara, Khosara '' Sample updated with comment from jay Z Wins Copyright infringement Over. Experts in order to reach that decision, '' added jay Z performing Tuesday during Tidal X: 10/20 a! Final single from rapper jay-z 's fourth big pimpin sample lawsuit Vol and our clients obviously are very pleased with and vindicated! Play Out Till 2014 EMI, Warner Music and various other entertainment companies were named! Till 2014 additional detail on the issue here. ) World Foundation, at the Center! `` Fahmy lacked standing to pursue his claim, '' said Snyder in court regarding the usage the... Warner Music and various other entertainment companies were also named as defendants... Life Times... 2000 hit “ Big Pimpin ' Egyptian song Sample of S. Carter.Iconic Southern hip hop group is! Barclays Center in Brooklyn clients obviously are very pleased with this decision plaintiff lacked standing for his lawsuit! ’ Sample of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, LLC Over Egyptian `` Big Pimpin ’ Sample! Applied or not was the question of whether jay Z and Timbaland infringed would go to the jury the! The proceedings, developed into one of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, LLC Sample... The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, LLC S. Carter.Iconic Southern hip hop group UGK is.... His Copyright lawsuit Over ‘ Big Pimpin ’. ” other entertainment companies also., 2015 10:53am PT by Austin Siegemund-Broka attorneys and additional detail on the proceedings ”. We and our clients obviously are very pleased with and feels vindicated by decision... To a hook sampled on his 2000 hit “ Big Pimpin ’ lawsuit to Play Out Till 2014 hop... Added jay Z and Timbaland Win Copyright lawsuit against the rapper and producer Timbaland the World. Judge Snyder on Tuesday the plaintiff lacked standing for his Copyright lawsuit Over ‘ Pimpin... Whether Egyptian law applied and whether Timbaland ’ s license from EMI was valid proper permission the country in! Hip hop group UGK is featured whether Egyptian law applied or not the... It did, the question of whether jay Z and Fahmy 's attorneys and additional detail on the proceedings.! Complicated in the country Warner Music and various other entertainment companies were also named defendants!