Joseph Strange, a former sound engineer for acclaimed rapper Eminem, has been charged with stealing the rapper’s unreleased songs and selling them in exchange for the market’s leading cryptocurrency, Bitcoin (BTC).
The allegations, detailed in a criminal complaint filed in Michigan, reveal that Strange allegedly sold 25 unfinished tracks to a Canadian buyer for approximately $50,000 in cryptocurrency.
Unreleased Tracks For Bitcoin
According to federal prosecutors, Strange, 46, worked for Eminem from 2007 to 2021 at Effigy, the rapper’s recording studio located in Michigan. Prosecutors claim that he “unlawfully” took the unreleased music and, after meeting a man online, facilitated the sale of these tracks in exchange for Bitcoin.
The complaint states that employees at Effigy discovered some of the stolen songs available on various online platforms, including YouTube and Reddit, prompting an FBI investigation.
Wade Fink, Strange’s attorney, emphasized that a criminal complaint consists of allegations that have yet to be tested in a courtroom. “It’s important for people to understand that a criminal complaint is merely a set of allegations signed by a prosecutor and publicized by press release,” he stated, underscoring the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
A spokesperson for Eminem expressed deep concern over the incident, highlighting the significant damage caused to the rapper’s artistic legacy and the financial losses incurred by those involved in the creative process.
“The enormous financial losses incurred by the many creators and collaborators that deserve protection for their decades of work cannot be overstated,” the spokesperson said.
Copyright Infringement And Stolen Goods
Strange is facing serious charges, including criminal infringement of copyright and interstate transportation of stolen goods. If convicted of copyright infringement, he could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges for interstate transportation carry a potential maximum penalty of ten years behind bars.
Interestingly, the investigation revealed that Strange was “heavily involved” in the world of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining. Witnesses indicated that he insisted on receiving payment solely in Bitcoin, a detail that adds another layer of complexity to the case.
This incident is not the first time Eminem has faced issues with leaked music. In 2002, unauthorized tracks from his album “The Eminem Show” were sold online before their official release, which forced the rapper to expedite the album’s launch to mitigate financial damages.
At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at around $84,139, which is a 14% retracement on a monthly basis after the massive market sell-off that took place last month.
Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
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