iLee Hutson, Sr., Miami, Florida resident and former frontman of 1970s R&B group The Impressions, filed a complaint on August 27, 2013 in the Northern District of Georgia against Jay Jenkins, known in the music world as Young Jeezy, as well as Donald Earl Cannon and Cannon Music, LLC, the producers of the music in question. Hutson alleges that Young Jeezy's song "Time" inappropriately incorporates the instrumental portion of his song "Getting it On," which was registered with the U.S. Copyright Office in March (composition) and April (sound recording) of 1973.
Hutson claims that his songs have been sampled by many popular artists over the past decade, including T.I., Paul Wall, Bone Thugs & Harmony, Erykah Badu, and Snoop Dogg (now Snoop Lion). According to the complaint, although Young Jeezy's song "Time" was created in May 2010 and featured on the mixtape "Trap or Die 2," Hutson did not discover the track until February 10, 2012 when his daughter came across it on the website whosampled.com, a website which identifies sound recordings which have been reincorporated into other recordings.
Hutson alleges that the Defendants never obtained any permission or license to use his copyrighted work, never paid him for the reproduction and distribution of the work, and did not credit his work in any way. The complaint alleges that the song is still available for purchase and download from a number of websites and venues. Further, Hutson claims that Young Jeezy received payments from third parties for use of "Time" and that the song was used to market and promote Young Jeezy's 2011 album "TM: 103 Hustlerz Ambition." Hutson's original song and Young Jeezy's allegedly infringing song can be heard here:
The complaint includes counts for copyright infringement and unjust enrichment, and seeks statutory and actual damages, temporary and permanent orders impounding and disposing of all allegedly infringing materials, attorneys' fees, and costs.
The case is Hutson v. Jenkins et al., No. 1:13-cv-2862-CAP, United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, and is assigned to Judge Charles A. Pannell, Jr.
