Martin Shkreli, the infamous pharmaceutical executive and convicted fraudster, is facing yet another legal battle. This time, he is being sued for allegedly copying a one-of-a-kind Wu-Tang Clan album.
The album in question, “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin,” was purchased by Shkreli in 2015 for a whopping $2 million. The Wu-Tang Clan, a legendary hip-hop group, had only produced one copy of the album and sold it to Shkreli on the condition that he would not release it commercially for 88 years.
However, according to a lawsuit filed by the album’s artist, Jason Koza, Shkreli has violated this agreement by using the album’s artwork without permission. Koza claims that he was never compensated for his work and that Shkreli has been using the artwork to promote his own business ventures.
In the lawsuit, Koza also alleges that Shkreli has been using the album to promote his pharmaceutical company, Retrophin, and his hedge fund, MSMB Capital Management. Koza’s lawyer, Peter Scoolidge, stated that Shkreli’s actions are a clear violation of copyright law and that they are seeking damages for Koza’s artwork.
This is not the first time Shkreli has faced legal trouble. In 2017, he was convicted of securities fraud and sentenced to seven years in prison. He is currently serving his sentence at a federal prison in Pennsylvania.
Shkreli’s lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, has denied the allegations and stated that Shkreli has not used the album’s artwork for any commercial purposes. Brafman also claims that Shkreli has not made any profits from the album and that the lawsuit is without merit.
The Wu-Tang Clan has not commented on the lawsuit, but they have previously expressed their disappointment in Shkreli’s purchase of the album. In a statement, the group stated that they hoped the album would be used for the greater good and not for personal gain.
The lawsuit against Shkreli is just the latest in a string of legal troubles for the controversial figure. It remains to be seen how this case will unfold, but one thing is for sure: Shkreli’s actions continue to stir up controversy and legal battles.
