National pinged for $600,000

Ouch. The High Court has ruled:

• The Court found Eminem Esque was a copy of Lose Yourself for three reasons.
• The Court found the National Party committed three restricted acts amounting to copyright infringement.
• The Court found Eight Mile Style is entitled to damages on a “user principle” basis in the sum of NZ$600,000, with interest, from 28 June 2014.
• Although copyright infringement did occur, the National Party’s actions were taken after receiving professional, commercial and media advice and were not reckless or contumelious of the rights of the copyright owner. No additional damages are awarded.

National will now seek to recover these damages from their advisers and/or the studio they purchased Eminem Esque from. That will be a further court battle.