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Rapper Daz Dillinger has issued a cease and desist letter to Rockstar games claiming his music was used in Grand Theft Auto V without permission, and is demanding the recall and destruction of all unsold copies of the game.
According to a report from TMZ, Rockstar approached Mr. Dillinger for the use of the tracks "C-Walk" and "Nothin' But the Cavi Hit", offering $4,271 for both tracks. Dillinger declined the offer, but the songs appeared in the game. In retaliation, Dillinger and his attorneys send Rockstar Games a cease and desist letter demanding it recall and destroy all unsold copies of the game.
Dillinger told TMZ that the letter was issued over a matter of "respecting an artist's work. Rockstar didn't do that here and I can't let them get away with it." Rockstar has sold more than $1 billion worth of copies of Grand Theft Auto V.
[Source: TMZ]
Our TakeIt's highly unlikely that Rockstar will recall Grand Theft Auto V. It's certainly possible that Rockstar used Dillinger's music without permission, but it was more likely a matter of oversight as opposed to malicious intent. Dillinger may claim to be defending the respect of artist's work, but it feels more like a publicity stunt.
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I'm sure they can just patch the game to get rid of his music.
All they would need to do is release a patch which removes the tracks. Wouldn't even be that hard.
Yeah, not happening. Rockstar will probably just remove the music with a patch.
He should pay Rockstar for all of the free publicity he has gotten by having his tracks in the game.
I'm sure this all in his publicists plan. Even a lot of people on this site know his name now.
Remove his crappy music sounds like he wants the money Rockstar earned just like un-notice celebrities to act like fudgebags.
Just remove the song in a patch if he's going to act like such a little b*tch.
Ok seriously destroying all unsold copies? How about just patched out of the game? Also it seems like he's been following this game and I don't really understand why he would say no to having his music put into one of the biggest game launches ever.
After something like this, I could not care less about this artist. It is not ok to let an artist go unpaid or his wishes not be followed for his product. However, wanting such a severe punishment towards a company that was willing to compensate him is way overboard. From 1 artist to another (musician to game dev) he should not be so critical to something that could be an easy mistake in a long line of things.
Obvious publicity stunt. The dude is out of his mind if he thinks R* is just gonna destroy the copies of the game. If his music WAS infringed then I sincerely hope that Rockstar sends him a big fat check for his troubles and handles itself with more care next time.
Really dumb publicity stunt. He'll get paid, at least, but he's making enemies of a lot of would-be fans. Just look at how difficult it has been for Metallica to get back into the internet generation's good graces.
Ha.
"Yo, dude! We like two of your songs. Here's $4300 for both. Sure, the game's probably gonna set sales records but we can only cobble together 4300 for ya... I mean... who are you anyway? Cool music, though."