Adam 'MCA' Yauch's will strictly prohibits the use of Beastie Boys music in advertisements, and although the other members, Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz and Michael "Mike D" Diamond could choose to sell their recording material, this is not the case, at least pertaining to the energy drink manufacturer Monster.
E! reports that Beastie Boys are suing Monster because of a promo video for Monster's 2012 Ruckus in the Rockies event, which the company posted on its site in May. The video is "comprised substantially of excerpts from the Beastie Boys Sound Recordings and the Beastie Boys Musical Compositions totaling more than three minutes in duration."
The records in questions are "Sabotage," "So Whatcha Want" and "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun."
The lawsuit also states, "The text accompanying Monster's internet postings, video and MP3 conveyed to consumers the impression that Beastie Boys permitted the use of their name and intellectual property, and participated in connection with Monster's promotion of its products and events."
The rap group is seeking unspecified damages for alleged copyright infringement and various other intellectual property violations.