Andre 3000 Sued For $2 Million Over Cartoon

[Vice]

Andre 3000, the Cartoon Network, and Turner Broadcasting have all been named in a $2 million lawsuit claiming copyright infringement and breach of contract for the rapper's Class of 3000 cartoon show.

Timothy McGee, a postal worker, claims that Dre ripped off the the "characters, artwork, storylines [and] concepts" from his previous project, The Music Factory, says the Boston Herald.

"The artist known as Andre '3000' Benjamin was credited with the creation, executive production and starring role in Class of 3000," the lawsuit reads. "The similarities between the expression of Mr. McGee's work in The Music Factory and that of Class of 3000 are sufficiently detailed and pervasive."

According to McGee, he presented his idea to Cartoon Network executive Michael Lazzo back in 1997 but was rejected. (Dre's cartoon premiered in 2006.)

McGee's attorney, Jerrold Neeff, says that his client is expecting compensation because of what he considers non-coincidental similarities.

"We've requested $2 million in damages thus far," Neeff told the Boston Herald. "The rest remains to be seen."

At press time, reps for Dre and Cartoon Network were unavailable for comment.

- By Erin T. McMillon

 

[Relic]

Eeek, that sux.

 

[Vice]

yeah i just thought it was interesting. My daughters watch that show sometimes.lol.

 

[Fury]

good we need all the biting non original bastards to get caught ..fuck them

 

[Shonsteez]

Dam i wouldnt peg him for a biter tho!?

 

[LDB]

From 97 to 2006...hmmmm...the question is how the fuck did 3k see dudes work from way back then? Really? Did the Cartoon network pitch the idea to 3 Thou? I thought shit worked the other way around...

Is dude from the A, did he and Dre Collab on some shit back in '97?


Sounds more like dude is trying to sue over some bullshit to me. He probably just lost his "post office" job and his 350 pound wife who dip'd with the kids and Poodle!

2 million dollars in the Cartoon industry ain't shit. It could take that just to put the Cartoon together for 5 or 6 episodes. Seems like if he was in fact the creator he'd be suing for a hell of a lot more than that.

 

[Fury]

From 97 to 2006...hmmmm...the question is how the fuck did 3k see dudes work from way back then? Really? Did the Cartoon network pitch the idea to 3 Thou? I thought shit worked the other way around...

Is dude from the A, did he and Dre Collab on some shit back in '97?


Sounds more like dude is trying to sue over some bullshit to me. He probably just lost his "post office" job and his 350 pound wife who dip'd with the kids and Poodle!

2 million dollars in the Cartoon industry ain't shit. It could take that just to put the Cartoon together for 5 or 6 episodes. Seems like if he was in fact the creator he'd be suing for a hell of a lot more than that.

or maybe Andre really did take ideas and concepts from him its not like its that hard to believe..im sure its been done plenty of times..

 

[LDB]

or maybe Andre really did take ideas and concepts from him its not like its that hard to believe..im sure its been done plenty of times..][/QUOTE


Seriously.....did u read this line

According to McGee, he presented his idea to Cartoon Network executive Michael Lazzo back in 1997 but was rejected. (Dre's cartoon premiered in 2006.)

he said he presented it to Carton Network.....not 3 Thou, with that statement alone how can 3 Thou be to blame if it's in fact true that he was rip'd off? I not making a hypothetical assessment. I know people get rip'd off everyday but throwing dirt on 3 thou just because other people rip other people off is not cool. I wouldn't wish that on anybody. I was born at night but not last night and this just makes no sense. If I see proof that he has personal links to Dre then I'll give it a second thought...til then its "bullshit" presented by a "bullshitter".

 

[7thangel]

it's possible because not every element might have been all created by dre, he may have had the idea doesn't mean he drew or came up with the characters, that may have come from the studio or studio animators. same thing goes for a particular 'eps' or even the concept too. many celebs get attached to a project that everyone involved says was the celebs from jump but that's not the case more often than not.

there only needs to be one infringement involving one single character for all parties to be sued, including dre, even if he himself didn't do it. the courts themselves will determine, and sometimes unfairly in favour of the bigger party, whether it's bullshit or not.

 

[LDB]

I know the system has snakes and weasels in it but no Judge worth his merit is going to take money from a man that has nothing to do with it. U guys make it sound like its sooooooooo easy to sue somebody over some b.s., it's not. If the animators at the Carton network took that mans ideas and applied some of them to what Dre came up with it's not Dre's fault.

This was and is my only point. As the facts are stated in the original post, unless other facts are brought to light Andre 3k had nothing to do with it. It's a damn shame that he has to be slandered in this way. Dude has never did anything under handed in the business. Never been in trouble or non of that b.s.

I mean what the fuck is he suppose to do, open the execs at the Carton Networks heads to see if there making suggestion for his carton that may have been pitched to them from somebody else? HELL NO....there's no way to do that.

I gives a damn if he sues the Carton Network, I just don't believe 3 Thou had anything to do with "robbin" somebody's work "knowingly". I've chilled with Dre personally, his cousin who got him started in the business used to manage my brother and an RnB group that we brought them. He's not that type of dude in or out of the industry.

I see it as a b.s lawsuit. That carton has brought in way more than 2million and that's all the guy is suing for. A damn judge sued a dry cleaners for what, 60 million? Them bastards don't make 1 one hundredth of that amount annually!

Nothing adds up with this story to me...

 

[7thangel]

there's a reason why it's better to have a corporation than a sole proprietorship....liability.

when you get in a deal with a publishing company, regardless of what kind, in the contract it states that both share liability as long as you don't knowingly infringe, which is why more than just an artist or even a pub company are named in cases and why there's a clause that would put the burden on the artist if they weren't truthful.
it's the same with all those involved, from dre's company to the parent company, time warner. it would be up to both of the plaintiffs to show evidence and the judge to determine if, who and what happened and if true, who and how much is paid.

this shouldn't be seen in the same light as stealing lyrics and such but what it is, a possible infringement that all those that are liable may have to pay for. how much due diligence was used or the judge deems was required effects all those sued.

 

[wrightboy]

there's a reason why it's better to have a corporation than a sole proprietorship....liability.

when you get in a deal with a publishing company, regardless of what kind, in the contract it states that both share liability as long as you don't knowingly infringe, which is why more than just an artist or even a pub company are named in cases and why there's a clause that would put the burden on the artist if they weren't truthful.
it's the same with all those involved, from dre's company to the parent company, time warner. it would be up to both of the plaintiffs to show evidence and the judge to determine if, who and what happened and if true, who and how much is paid.

this shouldn't be seen in the same light as stealing lyrics and such but what it is, a possible infringement that all those that are liable may have to pay for. how much due diligence was used or the judge deems was required effects all those sued.

well said...

 

[Vice]

yeah, when I read it I was thinking the same thing that Drama said... It sounds like the company pitched him the idea and that they stole it from this guy......

but I understand what 7th is saying, all parties will be liable if the judge rules in his favor.

On a side note... Andre is the fuckin man lyrically..... point blank my favorite emcee.

just thought i'd throw that out there.lol.