One of the biggest cases to affect the mixtape landscape was a lawsuit filed by Lord Finesse back in July against Mac Miller for $10 million, for apparently using his “Hip 2 Da Game” instrumental without Finesse’s consent, and thus building a name for himself using another artist’s music. This was one of the cases that altered mixtapes as artists became wary of dropping even free music that used samples, or instrumentals of tracks they had not cleared. Now Finesse and Miller have reached a settlement.
Mac’s track “Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza” appeared on his K.I.D.S. free mixtape, but Finesse insisted the hit single helped launch the Pittsburgh artist’s career. The two have reached an agreement for a settlement conference that was conducted in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry B. Pitman back on December 6th, 2012.
This mediation was ordered by a Federal Judge in September, so the two sides could reach an agreement. Details, including the amount of the settlement are not revealed to the public and only reported to the Federal Judge.
The details, and what exactly the settlement entailed will be interesting to find out as it will most likely determine the future of artists dropping free uncleared mixtapes.
[Via HHDX]