Ronald Oslin Bobb Semple V Kanye West & Kid Cudi

Case 2:19-cv-01682-FMO-GJS Document 1 Filed 03/07/19 Page 1 of 17 Page ID #:1
1 Jonah A. Grossbardt (State Bar No. 283584)

SRIPLAW
2 1801 Century Park East
Suite 1100
3 Los Angeles, CA 90067
323.364.6565 – Telephone
4 561.404.4353 – Facsimile
jonah.grossbardt@sriplaw.com
5
Attorneys for Plaintiff
6 RONALD OSLIN BOBB-SEMPLE
8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
9 CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
10
SRIPLAW
RONALD OSLIN BOBB-SEMPLE, Case No.: 2:19-cv-1682

11
Plaintiff, COMPLAINT FOR COPYRIGHT
12 INFRINGEMENT
v.
13 DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
KANYE WEST, SCOTT RAMON
14 SEGURO MESCUDI p/k/a KID CUDI
(COLLECTIVELY p/k/a KIDS SEE
15 GHOSTS), TYRONE WILLIAM
GRIFFIN JR. p/k/a TY DOLLA $IGN,
16 ANDREW CLARKE p/k/a ANDY C.,
JEFF BHASKER, MICHAEL GEORGE
17 DEAN p/k/a MIKE DEAN, ANDREW
DAWSON, BRYAN MIGAL
18 ATTMORE p/k/a BOOGZDABEAST,
GETTING OUT OUR DREAMS, INC.,
19 DEF JAM RECORDINGS, INC., AND
UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP, INC.,
20
Defendants.
21
1
COMPLAINT FOR COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
1
2 (INJUNCTIVE RELIEF DEMANDED)
3 Plaintiff Ronald Oslin Bobb-Semple by and through his undersigned counsel,
4 brings this Complaint against Defendants Kanye West, Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi
5 p/k/a Kid Cudi (collectively p/k/a Kids See Ghosts), Tyrone William Griffin Jr. p/k/a
6 Ty Dolla $ign, Andrew Clarke p/k/a Andy C., Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean, Andrew
7 Dawson, Bryan Migal Attmore p/k/a BoogzDaBeast, Getting Out Our Dreams, Inc.,
8 Def Jam Recordings, Inc., and Universal Music Group, Inc., for damages and
9 injunctive relief, and in support thereof states as follows:

10 SUMMARY OF THE ACTION

SRIPLAW
11 1. Plaintiff Ronald Oslin Bobb-Semple (“Bobb-Semple”) brings this action
12 for violations of exclusive rights under the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 106, to copy
13 and distribute Bobb-Semple’s original copyrighted works of authorship.
14 2. Ronald Oslin Bobb-Semple is veteran actor and performer. Bobb-
15 Semple performs a 45-minute one-man cultural and educational presentation seen
16 globally based on the life of Marcus Mosiah Garvey. This presentation has been
17 performed all over the world and in many countries including but not limited to
18 Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados, St. Lucia, the Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Senegal,
19 Ghana, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, the United Kingdom and throughout the United
20 States. Bobb-Semple performs this spiritual transformation with the hopes of keeping
21
2
1 the name, spirit, ideologies, and philosophies of Marcus Garvey alive. Bobb-Semple’s
2 professional theater career began at the Theater Guild in Guyana some 50 years ago.
3 Bobb-Semple has been keeping the spirit of Marcus Garvey alive for the past 35 years
4 through his presentations.
5 3. Kanye West, Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi p/k/a Kid Cudi (collectively
6 p/k/a Kids See Ghosts), Tyrone William Griffin Jr. p/k/a Ty Dolla $ign, Andrew
7 Clarke p/k/a Andrew C., Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean, Andrew Dawson, Bryan Migal
8 Attmore p/k/a BoogzDaBeast, Getting Out Our Dreams, Inc., Def Jam Recordings,
9 Inc., and Universal Music Group, Inc. (collectively “Defendants”) produced,

10 distributed, publicly performed and otherwise used and exploited the actual voice,
SRIPLAW
11 words and performance of Bobb-Semple, without authorization in the extremely
12 popular “Freeee (Ghost Town Pt. 2)” (“Freeee”) master recording, composition and in
13 live performance. Defendants used Bobb-Semple’s voice, performance and words
14 from his copyrighted work to create the setting of Freeee.
15 4. Bobb-Semple’s voice and authorship is heard in the introductory words
16 of Freeee. Defendants have not acknowledged Bobb-Semple’s contribution nor
17 obtained permission to use his copyrighted voice and performance, nor provided him
18 compensation. While Defendants and others have received many accolades and
19 substantial profits from Freeee, Bobb-Semple has received nothing – no
20 acknowledgement, no credit, no remuneration of any kind.
21
3
1 5. Bobb-Semple brings this action to vindicate his rights for the deliberate
2 taking of his work and voice, to recover damages, and to ask that Defendants be
3 required to disgorge their ill-gotten profits attributable to their infringement and cease
4 and desist their continued, unauthorized use of Bobb-Semple’s work, provide credit
5 and compensation rights and interests in the infringing work.
7 JURISDICTION AND VENUE
8 6. This is an action arising under the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 501.
9 7. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over these claims pursuant to
10 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1338(a).

SRIPLAW
11 8. Defendants are subject to personal jurisdiction in California.
12 9. Venue is proper in this district under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b) and (c) and
13 1400(a) because the events giving rise to the claims occurred in this district,
14 Defendants engaged in infringement in this district, Defendants reside in this district,
15 and Defendants are subject to personal jurisdiction in this district.
16 DEFENDANTS
17 10. Kanye West (“West”) is a Grammy Award winning music performer and
18 upon information and belief, a resident of the State of California.
19
20
21
4
1 11. Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi p/k/a Kid Cudi (“Cudi”) is a Grammy
2 Award winning performer and upon information and belief, a resident of the State of
3 Illinois.
4 12. West and Cudi perform together as the performing group known as Kids
5 See Ghosts.
6 13. Tyrone William Griffin Jr. p/k/a Ty Dolla $ign (“$ign”) is an
7 internationally known performing artist and upon information and belief, a resident of
8 the State of California.
9 14. Andrew Clarke p/k/a Andy C. (“Andy C.”) is a DJ and music producer,
10 and upon information and belief, a citizen of the United Kingdom.

SRIPLAW
11 15. Jeff Bhasker (“Bhasker”) is an American record producer and upon
12 information and belief, a resident of the State of California.
13 16. Andrew Dawson (“Dawson”) is an American record producer and upon
14 information and belief, a resident of the State of California.
15 17. Michael George Dean p/k/a Mike Dean (“Dean”) is an American record
16 producer and upon information and belief, a resident of the State of California.
17 18. Bryan Migal Attmore p/k/a BoogzDaBeast (“BoogzDaBeast”) is an
18 American record producer and upon information and belief, a resident of the State of
19 California.
20
21
5
1 19. Getting Out Our Dreams, Inc. (“GOOD”), is a California corporation
2 with its principal place of business at 21731 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 300, Woodland
3 Hills, California, and can be served by serving its Registered Agent,
4 ERSIDENTAGENT, INC., 11726 San Vicente Boulevard, Suite 480, Los Angeles,
5 California.
6 20. Def Jam Recordings, Inc. (“Def Jam”), is upon information and belief a
7 subsidiary of Universal Music Group, Inc. with its principal place of business at 2220
8 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, Califorinia and can be served by serving its
9 Registered Agent, C T Corporation System at 818 West Seventh Street, Suite 930, Los
10 Angeles, California.
SRIPLAW
11 21. Universal Music Group, Inc. (“UMG”) is a Delaware Corporation with
12 its principal place of business at 2220 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, Califorinia
13 and can be served by serving its Registered Agent, C T Corporation System at 818
14 West Seventh Street, Suite 930, Los Angeles, California.
15 THE COPYRIGHTED WORK AT ISSUE
16 22. In 2002, Bobb-Semple created a recording entitled “The Spirit of Marcus
17 Garvey (Garvey speaks to an all-Black audience)” (the “Work”), which include the
18 unique and original vocal sample and words that appear in Freeee. Plaintiff will
19 submit audio and video recordings of Freeee to the Court.
20
21
6
1 23. Bobb-Semple registered the Work with the Register of Copyrights on
2 December 21, 2018 and was assigned the registration number SR0000828457. The
3 Certificate of Registration is attached hereto as Exhibit 1.
4 24. At all relevant times Bobb-Semple was the owner of the copyrighted
5 work at issue in this case.
6 INFRINGEMENT BY DEFENDANTS
7 25. Defendants have never acquired a license to use the Work at issue in this
8 action for any purpose.
9 26. On a date after the Work at issue in this action was created, but prior to
10 the filing of this action, Defendants copied the Work and used it in Freeee.
SRIPLAW
11 27. Defendants’ copied Bobb-Semple’s copyrighted Work without his
12 permission.
13 28. Defendants’ willful infringement of the Work has harmed Bobb-Semple
14 because, among other things, Bobb-Semple was not properly credited for his
15 contributions to Freeee, yet other artists and samples on the album were credited for
16 their contributions. The proper licensing of the Work would not have only generated
17 substantial revenues but it would have generated international recognition for Bobb-
18 Semple’s performance works as a contributor to a worldwide hit song. Instead, Bobb-
19 Semple had to sit by and watch Defendants receive acclaim, and compensation
20
21
7
1 without any of the proper recognition being received, as it should have been, by Bobb-
2 Semple.
3 29. In Bobb-Semple’s original audio recording he says:
4 May I say something to you to give you a true knowledge

of yourself and life?
5
So that the same glory and success attained by other men
6 who understand themselves may be yours [edited out of
Freeee by Defendants].
7
Man in the full knowledge of himself is a superb and
8 supreme creature of creation.
9 When man becomes possessor of the knowledge of

himself, he becomes master of the environment.

10
SRIPLAW
30. The Freeee recording includes an audio recording, the latter begins with
11
the voice of Bobb-Semple saying:
12
May I say something to you to give you a true knowledge
13
of yourself and life?
14
Man in the full knowledge of himself is a superb and
supreme creature of creation.
15
When man becomes possessor of the knowledge of
16
himself, he becomes master of the environment.
17
31. Bobb-Semple created and recorded the Work in 2002 which includes
18
Bobb-Semple saying “May I say something to you to give you a true knowledge of
19
yourself and life?” and “Man in the full knowledge of himself is a superb and supreme
20
creature of creation” and “When man becomes possessor of the knowledge of himself,
21
8
1 he becomes master of the environment” , which were misappropriated and infringed
2 by Defendants.
3 32. Bobb-Semple’s voice is a unique instrument. The timbre of Bobb-
4 Semple’s voice is inextricably linked to his performance art, especially in the Work.
5 33. Freeee was produced by Defendants prior to June 8, 2018. On
6 information and belief, West, Cudi, $ign, Andy C., Bhasker, Dean, Dawson and
7 BoogzDaBeast wrote and composed Freeee. The recording was produced by West,
8 Cudi, $ign, Andy C., Bhasker, Dean, Dawson and BoogzDaBeast who are credited as
9 producers.
10 34. Freeee was published by UMG, Def Jam and GOOD.

SRIPLAW
11 35. Freeee was released by Defendants on June 8, 2018.
12 36. Freeee was performed at the Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival on November
13 11, 2018, in Los Angeles, California to a massive crowd of adoring fans and is
14 available to a worldwide audience on YouTube at
15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkRjmRmPGFQ.
16 37. Bobb-Semple’s voice, performance and words were used by Defendants
17 in the Freeee audio and video recordings, without permission, acknowledgement or
18 compensation.
19 38. Freeee was included in the Kids See Ghosts album released on June 8,
20 2018. Kids See Ghosts was initially distributed by UMG, Def Jam and GOOD.
21
9
1 39. Kids See Ghosts was released in the United States on June 8, 2018.
2 UMG, Def Jam and GOOD released, manufactured, distributed and marketed the
3 single Freeee and the Kids See Ghosts album.
4 40. The Kids See Ghosts album debuted as the #2 album on the US Billboard
5 200.
6 41. The use of Bobb-Semple’s distinctive voice and performance from his
7 Work is grounds for this Court to infer that Defendants had access to Bobb-Semple’s
8 works, through YouTube or other means. The verbatim copying of the work and the
9 purposeful exclusion of one line by Defendants is so blatant in both scale and degree,
10 that it raises this matter to a level where access is presumed.

SRIPLAW
11 42. Defendants’ sampling and copying of three phrases from Bobb-Semple’s
12 Work, which are qualitatively important and crucial elements of Freeee is a sufficient
13 basis to find substantial similarity.
14 43. To write and produce Freeee, Defendants intentionally and unlawfully
15 copied the unique and original voice and performance of Bobb-Semple from the
16 Work, by unlawfully sampling Bobb-Semple’s protectable Work.
17 44. Bobb-Semple’s voice and performance in the Work are original, unique,
18 specific in terms of pitch, register, and overall use, and they are the defining
19 introduction of the song Freeee and the seed from which the entire song grows.
20
21
10
1 45. The voice and words of Bobb-Semple’s Work reach the very essence of
2 Freeee and are crucial to Freeee. There should be no doubt that Bobb-Semple’s
3 unique voice, cadence and performance were sampled by Defendants. The specific
4 and unique characteristics of the voice on the Work and the infringing Freeee are
5 identical. The similarities go beyond substantial, which is itself sufficient to establish
6 copyright infringement, and are in fact striking. The similarity of words, vocal style,
7 and rhythm are clear indicators, among other things, that Freeee copies Bobb-
8 Semple’s Work.
9 46. The sameness of the performance and striking similarity between Freeee
10 and the protectable elements of the Work are obvious, such that an ordinary lay
SRIPLAW
11 listener would instantly recognize the sample and similarity between the works. The
12 similarity surpasses the realm of generic coincidence and independent creation.
13 47. Defendants’ sampling, copying, and repeated and continuing commercial
14 use and exploitation of Bobb-Semple’s voice and performance from the Work is not
15 within the scope of the “fair use” exception to copyright.
16 48. Given the undisputable sampling of Bobb-Semple’s Work, Defendants
17 knew when writing, publishing, recordings, releasing, advertising, transmitting,
18 publicly performing and distributing Freeee that they were infringing on a pre-existing
19 work.
20
21
11
1 49. Defendants failed to secure a license to copy and exploit Bobb-Semple’s
2 Work.
3 50. Bobb-Semple’s Work is protected by copyright but is not otherwise
4 confidential, proprietary, or trade secrets.
5 51. The conduct of Defendants constitutes direct, contributory, vicarious and
6 willful infringement of Bobb-Semple’s copyrights. All members of the distribution
7 chain are liable for copyright infringement, including co-writers, producers, and the
8 entities that licensed, distributed and sold the infringing work Freeee both as a single
9 and as part of Kids See Ghosts’ album tilted Kids See Ghosts. Members of the
10 distribution chain are also liable for the unauthorized use and exploitation of Bobb-
SRIPLAW
11 Semple’s Work during the Kid See Ghosts performance of Freeee at Camp Flog Gnaw
12 Carnival.
13 52. Defendants have, without authorization, created adaptations and
14 derivative works of Bobb-Semple’s voice and words, by Defendants manipulating or
15 altering Bobb-Semple’s sound recordings.
16 53. All Defendants are responsible in some manner for the events described
17 herein and are liable to Bobb-Semple for damages available under the Copyright Act.
18 Defendants named herein are the writers, performers, producers, record labels,
19 distributors, publishers, and others, who were involved with the creation, release,
20 reproduction, distribution, exploitation, licensing, and public performance of Freeee,
21
12
1 embodied in all forms of media, including videos, digital downloads, records and
2 advertisements, all of which constitute, among other things, the improper preparation
3 of a derivative work and direct, vicarious, and contributory infringement. As co-
4 infringers, Defendants are jointly and severally liable for all amounts owed.
5 54. Each Defendant is a practical partner in the infringing acts with all other
6 Defendants, and are thus jointly and severally liable for each other’s profits. As
7 described throughout this Complaint, each of the Defendants had an important role in
8 the infringing activity, worked together to accomplish it or were involved in directing
9 various aspects of many of the coordinated infringing activities, and all had a
10 significant financial interest in the infringing activity.

SRIPLAW
11 55. Defendants’ infringing acts were willful, knowing, and malicious and
12 perpetrated without regard to Bobb-Semple’s rights.
13 56. Defendants continue to willfully infringe on Bobb-Semple’s voice,
14 works, performance and sound recordings by reproducing, displaying, transmitting,
15 distributing, exploiting, licensing, and publicly performing Freeee. Freeee continues
16 to be reproduced, sold, distributed, publicly performed, licensed, and otherwise
17 exploited on albums, and as digital downloads, and in music videos, and in other
18 formats and media, all without payment to Bobb-Semple.
19
20
21
13
1 COUNT I
COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
2
57. Plaintiff incorporates the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 56 of this
3
Complaint as if fully set forth herein.
4
58. Bobb-Semple owns a valid copyright in the Work at issue in this case.
5
59. Bobb-Semple registered the Work at issue in this case with the Register
6
of Copyrights pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 411(a).
7
60. Defendants had access to the Work via YouTube and other sources, as
8
discussed above. Furthermore, Bobb-Semple’s voice and performance in Freeee are
9
strikingly similar, meaning that access is presumed, and a claimed defense of

10
SRIPLAW
“independent creation” is precluded.

11
61. Defendants’ unauthorized reproduction, distribution, public performance,
12
display, and creation of the derivative work Freeee infringes Bobb-Semple’s exclusive
13
rights in violation of the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.
14
62. Defendants did not seek or receive permission from Bobb-Semple to
15
copy, sample or use any part of the Work in Freeee. All elements of the Work copied
16
by Defendants are original to the Work.
17
63. Defendants copied, displayed, and distributed the Work at issue in this
18
case and made derivatives of the Work without Bobb-Semple’s authorization in
19
violation of 17 U.S.C. § 501.
20
21
14
1 64. From the date of the creation of the infringing composition, sound
2 recording and video recording Freeee, all Defendants have infringed Bobb-Semple’s
3 copyright interests in the Work, including: (a) by substantially copying and publicly
4 performing, or authorizing the copying and public performances, including publicly
5 performing Freeee at live concerts, and on video, and otherwise; (b) by authorizing the
6 reproduction, distribution, and sale of the records and digital downloads through the
7 execution of licenses, and/or actually selling, manufacturing, and/or distributing
8 Freeee through various sources; (c) by substantially copying and the related
9 advertising, marketing and promotion of the sale of the records, videos, tickets to
10 concerts and other performances, and other merchandise; and (d) by participating in
SRIPLAW
11 and furthering the aforementioned infringing acts, or sharing in the proceeds
12 therefrom, all through substantial use of the Work in and as part of Freeee, packaged
13 in a variety of configurations and digital downloads, and performed in a variety of
14 ways including radio, concerts, personal appearances, video, television, and/or
15 otherwise.
16 65. Defendants have reproduced and/or distributed and continue to
17 manufacture, reproduce and distribute large numbers of copies of Freeee which violate
18 Bobb-Semple’s copyright. Defendants have not only marketed and exploited the
19 composition and recordings that are at issue in this lawsuit, but have granted or caused
20 to be granted to various parties, licenses to reproduce or distribute the works that are
21
15
1 in violation of Bobb-Semple’s copyright, including but not limited to international
2 distribution, transmission, sale and performance of Freeee.
3 66. With knowledge of the infringement, Defendants have induced, caused,
4 or materially contributed to the infringing conduct of others, such that they should be
5 found to be contributorily liable.
6 67. Defendants had the right and ability to control other infringers and have
7 derived a direct financial benefit from that infringement such that Defendants should
8 be found to be vicariously liable.
9 68. Bobb-Semple is entitled to declaratory and injunctive relief, ordering

10 Defendants to credit Bobb-Semple as producer and performer for all future

SRIPLAW
11 reproduction, distribution, sale, public performance, or other use or exploitation of
12 Freeee that include Bobb-Semple’s intellectual property, and a continuing royalty
13 following judgment in an amount to be determined.
14 69. Defendants’ acts were willful.
15 70. Bobb-Semple has been damaged.
16 71. The harm caused to Bobb-Semple has been irreparable.
17 WHEREFORE, the Plaintiff prays for judgment against the Defendants that:
18 a. Defendants and their officers, agents, servants, employees, affiliated
19 entities, and all of those in active concert with them, be preliminarily and permanently
20 enjoined from committing the acts alleged herein in violation of 17 U.S.C. §§ 501, 1203;
21
16
1 b. Defendants be required to pay Plaintiff his actual damages and
2 Defendants’ profits attributable to the infringement, or, at Plaintiff’s election, statutory
3 damages, as provided in 17 U.S.C. §§ 504, 1203.
4 c. Plaintiff be awarded his attorneys’ fees and costs of suit under the
5 applicable statutes sued upon; and
6 d. Plaintiff be awarded such other and further relief as the Court deems just
7 and proper.
8 JURY DEMAND
9 Plaintiff hereby demands a trial by jury of all issues so triable.

10
SRIPLAW
DATED: March 7, 2019 /s/ Jonah A. Grossbardt

11
JONAH A. GROSSBARDT
SRIPLAW
12
Attorneys for Plaintiff Ronald Oslin Bobb-
Semple
13
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Ronald Oslin Bobb Semple V Kanye West & Kid Cudi

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Case 2:19-cv-01682-FMO-GJS Document 1 Filed 03/07/19 Page 1 of 17 Page ID #:1

1 Jonah A. Grossbardt (State Bar No. 283584)

8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

9 CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RONALD OSLIN BOBB-SEMPLE, Case No.: 2:19-cv-1682

3 Plaintiff Ronald Oslin Bobb-Semple by and through his undersigned counsel,

9 injunctive relief, and in support thereof states as follows:

10 SUMMARY OF THE ACTION

11 1. Plaintiff Ronald Oslin Bobb-Semple (“Bobb-Semple”) brings this action

13 and distribute Bobb-Semple’s original copyrighted works of authorship.

14 2. Ronald Oslin Bobb-Semple is veteran actor and performer. Bobb-

15 Semple performs a 45-minute one-man cultural and educational presentation seen

4 through his presentations.

9 Inc., and Universal Music Group, Inc. (collectively “Defendants”) produced,

11 words and performance of Bobb-Semple, without authorization in the extremely

13 live performance. Defendants used Bobb-Semple’s voice, performance and words

14 from his copyrighted work to create the setting of Freeee.

15 4. Bobb-Semple’s voice and authorship is heard in the introductory words

16 of Freeee. Defendants have not acknowledged Bobb-Semple’s contribution nor

19 substantial profits from Freeee, Bobb-Semple has received nothing – no

20 acknowledgement, no credit, no remuneration of any kind.

5 and compensation rights and interests in the infringing work.

7 JURISDICTION AND VENUE

8 6. This is an action arising under the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 501.

10 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1338(a).

11 8. Defendants are subject to personal jurisdiction in California.

14 Defendants engaged in infringement in this district, Defendants reside in this district,

15 and Defendants are subject to personal jurisdiction in this district.

18 upon information and belief, a resident of the State of California.

6 13. Tyrone William Griffin Jr. p/k/a Ty Dolla $ign (“$ign”) is an

8 the State of California.

10 and upon information and belief, a citizen of the United Kingdom.

11 15. Jeff Bhasker (“Bhasker”) is an American record producer and upon

12 information and belief, a resident of the State of California.

13 16. Andrew Dawson (“Dawson”) is an American record producer and upon

14 information and belief, a resident of the State of California.

17 18. Bryan Migal Attmore p/k/a BoogzDaBeast (“BoogzDaBeast”) is an

1 19. Getting Out Our Dreams, Inc. (“GOOD”), is a California corporation

3 Hills, California, and can be served by serving its Registered Agent,

11 21. Universal Music Group, Inc. (“UMG”) is a Delaware Corporation with

14 West Seventh Street, Suite 930, Los Angeles, California.

15 THE COPYRIGHTED WORK AT ISSUE

16 22. In 2002, Bobb-Semple created a recording entitled “The Spirit of Marcus

19 submit audio and video recordings of Freeee to the Court.

1 23. Bobb-Semple registered the Work with the Register of Copyrights on

3 Certificate of Registration is attached hereto as Exhibit 1.

5 work at issue in this case.

8 action for any purpose.

11 27. Defendants’ copied Bobb-Semple’s copyrighted Work without his

13 28. Defendants’ willful infringement of the Work has harmed Bobb-Semple

18 Semple’s performance works as a contributor to a worldwide hit song. Instead, Bobb-

3 29. In Bobb-Semple’s original audio recording he says:

4 May I say something to you to give you a true knowledge

9 When man becomes possessor of the knowledge of

himself, he becomes master of the environment.

1 he becomes master of the environment” , which were misappropriated and infringed

3 32. Bobb-Semple’s voice is a unique instrument. The timbre of Bobb-

5 33. Freeee was produced by Defendants prior to June 8, 2018. On

10 34. Freeee was published by UMG, Def Jam and GOOD.

11 35. Freeee was released by Defendants on June 8, 2018.

14 available to a worldwide audience on YouTube at

16 37. Bobb-Semple’s voice, performance and words were used by Defendants

17 in the Freeee audio and video recordings, without permission, acknowledgement or