In a shocking case of music theft, a former studio engineer has been charged with stealing unreleased music from Eminem’s studio and selling it online. The FBI has alleged that Joseph Strange, a 46-year-old from Michigan, stole more than 25 unreleased songs from the Detroit rapper’s studio and sold them to fans and collectors online.
According to a federal affidavit, Strange was charged with copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. Strange, who lost his job at Eminem’s studio in 2021, has denied the charges. His attorney, Wade Fink, has described the allegations as “untested” and expressed confidence that his client will be cleared of the charges in court.
The theft is believed to have occurred in October 2019 and January 2020, when Strange was still working as a sound engineer at Eminem’s studio in Ferndale, a suburb of Detroit. The music was stored on password-protected hard drives kept in a safe at the studio. Studio employees reported the theft to the FBI in January this year, after discovering that unreleased music was being shared online on websites such as Reddit and YouTube.
An investigation by the FBI found that Strange had transferred the music from the hard drives to an external hard drive, which he then used to sell the songs to fans and collectors online. One buyer, a Canadian resident who used the screen name Doja Rat, told investigators that he had purchased 25 unreleased songs from Strange for about $50,000 in Bitcoin. Doja Rat also claimed that Strange was trying to sell some of Eminem’s handwritten lyric sheets.
Another group of fans, organized by someone in Connecticut using the screen name ATL, also purchased a “couple” of songs from Strange for about $1,000. The FBI’s investigation has revealed that Strange was using online marketplaces and messaging apps to sell the stolen music and communicate with buyers.
The case has raised concerns about the security of music studios and the vulnerability of artists’ unreleased work to theft and exploitation. Eminem’s team has been working with the FBI to investigate the theft and prevent further unauthorized releases of the rapper’s music.
In a statement, Strange’s attorney Wade Fink emphasized his client’s dedication to the music industry and his commitment to fighting the charges in court. “We will handle the matter in a courtroom and we have great faith in the judges of our district,” Fink said.
The case is a reminder of the importance of protecting intellectual property and the consequences of stealing and selling copyrighted materials. As the music industry continues to evolve and adapt to new technologies and platforms, it is essential for artists, studios, and fans to prioritize the protection of creative work and respect the rights of creators.
The investigation into the theft of Eminem’s music is ongoing, and the FBI is working to identify and prosecute anyone else who may have been involved in the sale and distribution of the stolen music.
Source: Africa Publicity
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