Photos: Jay-Z and Timbaland Appear in Court for Big Pimpin' Copyright Trial
Jay-Z and Timbaland were both in court on Tuesday for the first day of a copyright infringement trial regarding their 1999 song Big Pimpin'.
The rappers have been accused of misusing music from the popular 1957 love ballad Khosara Khosara by Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdi. Attorney Pete Ross, who is representing the heirs to Hamdi's estate, accused Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, and Timbaland of lacing vulgar lyrics over Hamdi's melody without receiving adequate permission.
The trial will resume Wednesday with testimony from an expert on Egyptian music who began
testifying Tuesday about Hamdi's life and influence. It is the second major case to go to trial in Los Angeles involving allegations that a hit song infringes on another artist's rights.
In March, a federal jury ruled that Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams violated the copyright of Marvin Gaye's hit 'Got to Give It Up' to create their hit song 'Blurred Lines.' Gaye's family was initially awarded $7.4 million, but a judge later trimmed the verdict to $5.3 million.
Pics of Jay in court continue below:
| Jay Z pictured in the Big Pimping music video |