Martin Shkreli Hit With Lawsuit Over Wu-Tang Clan Album

Martin Shkreli is dealing with a brand new lawsuit associated to Wu-Tang Clan’s iconic album, As soon as Upon a Time in Shaolin, which he beforehand held possession over. Based on a brand new report from Billboard, Decide Pamela Ok. Chen dominated that the controversial investor could have violated federal protections for commerce secrets and techniques by retaining copies of the album, regardless of it going up for public sale in 2021.

PleasrDAO bought the music from federal prosecutors for $4 million and purchased the copyrights in 2024. It introduced the lawsuit in opposition to Shkreli, final 12 months. They declare he threatened to leak copies on the web. “LOL i’ve the mp3s you moron” and “i can simply add the mp3s in order for you?” Shkreli allegedly wrote in a pair of posts on X (previously Twitter) on the time.

“The key and unique nature of the album is a big a part of its intrinsic worth,” the choose wrote in Thursday’s ruling. “There will be no severe debate that the worth of the album … was largely based mostly on its secret and unique nature.” She did admit that, contemplating the bizarre circumstances surrounding the discharge of the album, that is “uncharted territory.” “Although the court docket agrees with plaintiff … it can’t be understated that the applying of commerce secret doctrine to the distinctive information of this case is uncharted territory,” she wrote.

Wu-Tang Clan recorded the album in secret and offered it on a single CD. They famous that the proprietor may solely launch it to most of the people in 2103. Shkreli initially purchased the album in 2015 for $2 million. He quickly went viral because the web deemed him the “Pharma Bro.”

Shkreli ended up dropping possession of the album after being discovered responsible on two counts of securities fraud and one depend of conspiracy in 2017. He had to surrender the album to assist repay $7.4 million.