A former sound engineer of rapper Eminem is facing federal charges for allegedly stealing and selling unreleased music that was later leaked on the internet. Joseph Strange, 46, from Holly, Michigan, has been charged with criminal infringement of a copyright and interstate transportation of stolen goods.
According to prosecutors, Strange allegedly stole unreleased music created by Eminem and sold it online. The FBI received a tip in mid-January about the leaks, which led them to investigate and ultimately charge Strange.
The investigation found that Strange worked for Eminem from 2007 to 2021 and had access to hard drives containing unreleased music. However, he allegedly shared the information with others, including a business associate who posted a warning on social media.
Strange was paid around $50,000 in Bitcoin for the music, which was later leaked online. The FBI searched his home and found numerous original hand-written lyric sheets, notes, and hard drives containing audio files, including some of Eminem’s music and unreleased tracks by other artists who worked with him.
“This investigation underscores the importance of safeguarding artists’ intellectual property from exploitation,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Julie Beck. “We will continue to take steps to protect Eminem’s art and ensure those who seek to profit from his creative output are held accountable.”
Source: https://www.wxyz.com/news/ex-employee-charged-with-stealing-selling-unreleased-eminem-music-from-ferndale-studio