Adam Yauch’s will bans commercial use of Beastie Boys songs
Adam Yauch, a co-founder of the highly successful hip hop group Beastie Boys, died on May 4, 2012, after being diagnosed with cancer in 2009.
Even in the afterlife, Adam Yauch, late member of the Beastie Boys, is fighting for his rights.
Yauch's will has forbidden the use of his music and “artistic property” in advertisements, including those made with the Beastie Boys, according to Rolling Stone.
The will reads, "Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in no event may my image or name or any music or any artistic property created by me be used for advertising purposes." The LA Times noted that the phrase, "or any music or any artistic property created by me" was added in handwriting.
Additionally, Yauch left his $6.4-million estate to his wife, Dechen, and their daughter, Tenzin Losel. Dechen was named as the executor of his estate and will make future decisions for his contributions to the Beastie Boys brand.
Perhaps Yauch had a premonition of what his band mates would go through after his death. According to the BBC, the remaining members of the Beastie Boys took legal action against US energy drink company Monster over allegations of copyright infringement this week.
The band filed papers in Manhattan federal court claiming executives have been using their tracks in a promotional video and downloadable audio file without their permission.