November 13, 2006 10:45

Jay-Z faces legal battle

Lawsuit launched over the rapper's samples

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Jay-Z is facing a legal battle over a track from his 2003 LP'The Black Album'.

Publishers Bridgeport Music allege that the rapper used samples on the track 'Justify My Thug' without their permission.

They have launched a lawsuit in Manhattan Federal Court which claims that the rapper has violated copyright laws.

The company are seeking an undisclosed fee for the alleged copyright infringement, reports AllHipHop.com.

In the past five years Bridgeport has filed over 800 lawsuits including a successful case against Notorious B.I.G's debut album 'Ready To Die'.

A jury said that Bad Boy Entertainment had used part of the 1992 song 'Singing In The Morning' by funk band Ohio Players without their permission.

Bridgeport, which own the rights to recordings by Ohio Players, managed to block all sales of the late rapper's debut album and they were awarded $4.2 million (£2.3 million) in damages.

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