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JAY-Z Files Notice for Masters Claim Before Damon Dash’s ‘Reasonable Doubt’ Auction
JAY-Z has issued a notice to potential buyers interested in Damon Dash’s ownership stake of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, indicating that these rights will revert back to him in 2031.
According to TMZ Hip Hop, JAY-Z’s legal team filed this notice ahead of Dash’s planned auction on August 29, where he aims to sell his share of the iconic album. The bidding will start at a minimum of $1.2 million.
This notice is part of an ongoing legal tussle between JAY-Z and his former business partner, Damon Dash, concerning the ownership of Reasonable Doubt. Since its release in 1996, the album has remained the sole asset of Roc-A-Fella and its founders.
The notice serves to inform potential investors that they will only profit from Reasonable Doubt for roughly six years before the master recordings revert to JAY-Z under Section 203 of the Copyright Act.
Under this law, 35 years post-release, an artist can request to reclaim ownership rights to their copyrighted work. JAY-Z’s move to publicize his intention to reclaim ownership could dampen Dash’s auction plans, impacting the perceived value of Dash’s stake.
The legal filing might deter potential bidders who are unaware of the impending legal ramifications involving the purchase, potentially lowering the attractiveness of Dash’s stake.
Back in 2021, news of Dash’s intent to sell his stake in Reasonable Doubt emerged but faced immediate legal challenges from JAY-Z’s camp. The issue led to multiple legal filings regarding the album’s ownership.
In a 2021 statement during the litigation, Dash confirmed his plans to sell his stake, saying, “Yeah, it’s for sale. I went to court. I’m allowed to sell my stake, so I’m doing it. Ain’t nobody gonna tell me what I can and what I can’t do with mine, I don’t care who it is. So, we just do it legally and bang it out in court.”
By 2022, a settlement was reached, granting Dash the right to sell his ownership stake in Reasonable Doubt.
Source: TMZ Hip Hop
