JAY-Z Scores Minor Legal Victory in Roc-A-Fella Dispute with Dame Dash

JAY-Z Scores Minor Legal Victory in Roc-A-Fella Dispute with Dame Dash

In the ongoing Roc-A-Fella Records dispute between JAY-Z and Dame Dash, the rapper has scored a minor legal victory. Judge Robert W. Lehrburger has refused to rule on a point of copyright law regarding the rights to JAY-Z’s debut album, Reasonable Doubt, reverting back to him in 2031.

The judge also rejected New York City’s attempt to investigate Roc-A-Fella’s financial holdings, stating that it was beyond the scope of the court. This means that the questions surrounding the future of the album’s rights will not be answered before Dash’s shares are put up for public auction as early as next month.

JAY-Z had claimed that the copyright to Reasonable Doubt expires in 2031, 35 years after its release, and that he should have the right to reclaim it. This could significantly impact the earning potential of any buyer of Dash’s shares in the company and the album.

The City of New York disputed JAY-Z’s claim, alleging that he was trying to drive down the sale price at the auction. However, JAY-Z’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, dismissed these accusations as having “no merit.”

The auction of Dash’s shares is scheduled for October 21, with bids starting at $3 million. Dash, who is not in control of the shares or the auction, is selling them off to pay off his debts, including a nearly $1 million debt to film producer Josh Webber, $8.7 million in back taxes to New York State, and $193,000 in child support to the City of New York.