Pioneering
rapper Schoolly D and The Cartoon Network are being accused of copyright violations
over the theme song to Cartoon Network’s hitseries Aqua Teen Hunger Force.In
a lawsuit filed Nov. 7 with U.S. District Court in Eastern Pennsylvania, Terrence
Yerves claimed that he co-authored the untitled song with Schoolly D in 1999,
while recording at the Meat Locker recording studio in Philadelphia.The
lawsuit also alleged that Schoolly D failed to tell the Cartoon Network that the
theme song was derived from their earlier work and that the "defendants falsely
filed for copyright protection on the show knowing that Plaintiff’s music enjoys
copyright protection, even though the Plaintiff did not register such protection
until May 16, 2006."Yerves,
a drummer, said he was instrumental in the creation of the song, which is used
as the opening and closing theme to Aqua Teen Hunger Force, which debuted
on the Cartoon Network in December 2000.The
musician also claimed he contributed the percussion, rhythm and drums at the request
of Schoolly D., who released classic Hip-Hop singles like "PSK," "Gucci
Time," "Cheeba Cheeba" and "Parkside 5 2." Yerves
also said he has an official song copyright, which was filed with the Library
of Congress in May 2006, and that Schoolly D has no official ownership over the
theme to Aqua Teen Hunger Force’s theme.Yerves,
also from Philadelphia, admits to knowing the song would be used in conjunction
with a television show but claims he did not give consent to the Cartoon Network
to use the song for Aqua Teen Hunger Force.He
is seeking at least $150,000 per infringement after the date of registration of
the official copyright date. An
injunction is also being sought, seeking the "impounding of all copies of
the show on DVD and to order the defendants to cease and desist from further broadcasting
of the show, which is in violation of Plaintiff’s copyright."Aqua
Teen Hunger Force
is also being made into a full length movie. Also namedin the lawsuit is Time Warner and Turner Broadcasting System.
