GTA 5: Rapper Wants Game Recalled Over Track Inclusion

[binary solo]

happydolphin said:

Goatseye said:
The thinking level of some users in this forum is baffling... anyway, lex sed lex.

Let's just say he won't get what he's asking for.

He sure will. And a Cease and desist order is the appropriate legal means for initiating action in this sort of situation. Why should it matter if he's a little nobody and GTA is the biggest selling game of the year? if R* done wrong then they need to put things right or be forced to put things right. Cease and desist is the correct first step along that path.

If it turns out R* didn't pay him royalties then recalling all unsold copies is a legitimate decision for the courts to make until the matter of compensation is sorted out. And if it goes to the courts then they might decide R* has to pay him 0.5c (0.25c per song) for every copy sold, which would net him $100K. Which would cover both compensatory and punitive damages. Not to mention the cost of lawyers etc to deal with the case.

Personally I think the guy was being greedy and unreasonable in turning down $4K because along with the exposure that's a pretty good deal for a largely unknown rapper. But that's nothing compared to R* going ahead and using the songs without an agreement. I bet all y'all would be looking for a nice pay day if R* or Infinity Ward sent you a letter saying they wanted to use 2 of your songs in GTA or CoD.

R* will either pay him ~$10K to go away or will wave a signed agreement in his face from his record label.