NEW ORLEANS – A founding member of the Batiste Bros. Band alleges Macklemore and Ryan Lewis used samples of his songs without authorization.
Paul Batiste, doing business as Artang Publishing LLC, filed a complaint on May 1 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Ryan Lewis, Ben Hagerty, Macklemore Publishing, Alternative Distribution Alliance, Andrew Joslyn, et al. alleging copyright infringement.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that the defendants used unauthorized samples of his musical compositions, including "Hip Jazz" and "Tone Palette," on songs "Thrift Shop" and "Neon Cathedral."
As a result of defendants' allegedly infringing activities, plaintiff claims he has suffered damages. The plaintiff holds Lewis, Hagerty, Macklemore Publishing, Alternative Distribution Alliance, Joslyn, et al. responsible because the defendants allegedly willfully copied, reproduced, distributed and published plaintiff's copyrighted musical works without authorization.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks all damages, attorney’s fees, costs of suit, interest and such other relief as the court may deem just and proper. He is represented by DaShawn Hayes of The Hayes Law Firm PLC in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:17-cv-04435