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Report: Rapper Issues Cease And Desist To Rockstar For Misuse Of Music In GTA V, Demands Recall
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 Take
It'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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