Martin Shkreli sues RZA for allegedly selling Wu-Tang LP rights twice.

Notorious former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli is embroiled in a fresh legal dispute concerning the Wu-Tang Clan’s exclusive album, Once Upon A Time In Shaolin. RZA and the album’s producer, Cilvaringz, found themselves caught in the crossfire when Shkreli filed a countersuit against PleasrDAO, as detailed in a recent Complex article. The digital art collective initially took legal action against Shkreli in 2024, accusing him of playing and copying the rare album online without proper authorization. After Shkreli relinquished ownership of the album in 2017 due to securities fraud, PleasrDAO acquired it for a whopping $4 million. However, Shkreli alleges that there has been foul play on the part of RZA and Cilvaringz, claiming that they unlawfully sold off the album’s rights.

According to Shkreli’s legal representation, the Wu-Tang Defendants are contractually bound to transfer the remaining 50% of the album’s copyrights to him, 88 years post-execution. Surprisingly, PleasrDAO contends that they now own the very same rights purchased from RZA and Cilvaringz, throwing a contentious wrench into the ongoing dispute. Shkreli cites a deal made in 2015 with RZA and Cilvaringz that supposedly entitles him to half of the album’s copyright, with the other half slated for receipt after 88 years. The twist came when PleasrDAO acquired the album in 2021, dishing out a staggering sum of $4 million along with an additional $750,000 for the accompanying copyrights and assorted rights. Shkreli’s assertion that the Wu-Tang producers essentially sold “a total of 150%” of the album’s rights to PleasrDAO introduces a fresh layer of complexity to the legal fracas.

In response to Shkreli’s legal onslaught, PleasrDAO’s attorney, Steven Cooper, condemned his tactics as mere distractions and delays, hinting at the judicial pushback faced by Shkreli’s counterclaims. Despite the escalating legal skirmishes, RZA has maintained an unyielding silence regarding the unfolding courtroom drama.

In essence, the tale of Martin Shkreli and the battle over Wu-Tang Clan’s precious musical artifact serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate intertwining of art, commerce, and the hazy realm of copyright law. As legal fireworks illuminate the saga, a cloud of uncertainty and contention hovers over Once Upon A Time In Shaolin, casting a shadow over the coveted album and all parties embroiled in the high-stakes legal tussle. Only time will tell how this high-profile conflict unfolds and who emerges victorious in this complex battle for musical legacy and legal ownership.