Unreleased Eminem Tracks Sold for Bitcoin: Engineer Charged by Federal Authorities | Bitcoinist.com

Joseph Strange, a former sound engineer for rapper Eminem, faces serious charges. He allegedly stole unreleased songs and sold them for Bitcoin, a popular cryptocurrency. According to a complaint filed in Michigan, Strange sold 25 unfinished tracks to a buyer in Canada for about $50,000 in Bitcoin.

Details from the court documents reveal that Strange worked with Eminem from 2007 to 2021 at Effigy, the rapper’s studio in Michigan. The authorities claim he took the music without permission and shared it online, prompting an FBI investigation when Effigy employees found the songs available on sites like YouTube and Reddit.

Wade Fink, Strange’s lawyer, reminded everyone that these charges are just allegations. "A criminal complaint is simply a set of claims until proven in court," he noted, emphasizing the importance of the presumption of innocence.

Eminem’s representative expressed deep concern over the potential harm to the artist’s legacy and the financial impact on everyone involved in creating the music. The spokesperson highlighted the significant losses that creators face when their work is stolen.

Strange is charged with criminal copyright infringement and transporting stolen goods across state lines. If found guilty, he could face up to five years in prison and hefty fines for the copyright charges, while interstate transport could lead to a maximum of ten years. It’s important to note that witnesses say Strange was deeply engaged in the cryptocurrency world and insisted on being paid only in Bitcoin, adding a twist to the case.

This isn’t the first time Eminem has dealt with leaked music. Back in 2002, unauthorized tracks from his album “The Eminem Show” appeared online before the album’s official release, which forced him to launch it sooner to minimize losses.

Interestingly, as of now, Bitcoin is trading around $84,139, showing a 14% drop over the last month following a market sell-off. The case of Joseph Strange serves as a reminder of the risks artists face in protecting their work in the digital age.

For more on the impact of music piracy, you can check out this report from the Recording Industry Association of America.

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