US rappers Kanye West and Ludacris have been cleared of stealing beats and lyrics from fellow hip hop artists IOF. As previously reported, the New Jersey hip hop group had accused the two high profile rappers of stealing aspects of one of their songs for the 2003 Ludacris hit 'Stand Up', which Kanye West co-wrote and produced. However, lawyers for Ludacris and West argued the beats and lyrics in question were too generic to claim anyone stole them, while the two rappers denied having heard the IOF track before creating 'Stand Up'.
After a two week hearing a US jury took just one day to find in West and Ludacris' favour at the end of last week. Responding to the decision, Ludacris told reporters outside the court: "I hope the plaintiffs enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame. This whole experience is proof to me of why I will always fight for what I believe in."
IOF's manager Jeff Billingsley immediately confirmed that the group intended to appeal, telling reporters: "Probably Ludacris feels good that he got over this, but he has not gotten away".
IOF's lawyer, Mel Sachs, added that he felt his clients had lost their case because of the judge's decision to exclude the evidence of a music expert who they had planned to call to the witness stand. A move which, it is claimed, was part of sanctions against another lawyer who previously represented IOF. He told reporters: "The verdict was disappointing but understandable in the wake of this order to preclude the plaintiffs' expert in the case". The refusal of the judge to allow this expert witness to testify will be at the heart of IOF's appeal.