The courts told Universal label Island Def Jam to pay independent label TVT $132 million yesterday following that court hearing last month that said the major acted illegally when they blocked the release of a Ja Rule album on TVT. Ja was originally signed to the independent as part of Cash Money Click, but entered into a solo deal with Def Jam when a fellow CMC member was jailed and the project went on hold. TVT argued that when they released Ja Rule from his CMC contract the label reserved the right to release certain records involving Ja Rule, but when they tried to do so Def Jam unleashed a campaign to prevent the album's release. The courts sided with the independent saying the major was guilty of fraud, willful copyright infringement and wrongful interference with a contract.
Talking about the sizable compensation payment TVT president Steve Gottlieb told reporters: "I am obviously extremely pleased with today's verdict. The significance of this verdict can only be fully understood if one were to read the transcripts of the court proceedings, which reveal the systematic pattern of wrongdoings by Def Jam executives. I see this verdict as vindication for independent businessmen in every field."
For their part Def Jam released a statement saying: "We are disappointed with the jury's verdict and we do not believe that it is supported by the facts or the law. We will immediately and vigorously appeal the verdict and are confident that it will not withstand the scrutiny of an appellate court."