Attorneys for Funk legend George Clinton has filed a multi-million dollar copyright infringement lawsuit over a remix group’s 2003 hit song “Shut Up.” Lawyers for Clinton filed the lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, on December 10th. The lawsuit accuses BEP stole portions of Clinton’s classic #1 funk single “(Not Just) Knee Deep” and incorporated into the “Shut Up” remix without permission. Clinton, who currently resides in Florida, owns the copyrights to the song in question, which is taken from his 1979 album Uncle Jam Wants You by Funkadelic. The lawsuit claims BEP cashed in on his hard work, by releasing the remixes on vinyl, in digital formats and on DVD’s (Live From Sydney to Vegas). Additionally, “Shut Up” was released on the group’s#### album Elephunk, which has sold over 8.5 million copies worldwide, according to the complaint. To make matters worse, in 2009, producers associated with BEP contacted Clinton about licensing a sample of “(Not Just) Knee Deep,” before Clinton was aware the group had already sampled the song. In the ensuing battle to clear the sample, someone is accused of actually forging George Clinton’s signature. The funk legend maintains he did not sign any contracts, nor did he agree to any terms or receive compensation. Additionally, the group went ahead and released the remix on the deluxe version of The E.N.D. without the R&B pioneer’s consent. “(Not Just) Knee Deep” has been legally sampled by a variety of Hip-Hop artists throughout the years. Group’s like De La Soul, ABove The Law, MC Hammer, Snoop Dogg, Tupac and The Geto Boys have incorporated the song into their tracks.
