Adam Yauch, MCA from the Beastie Boys made sure he’d never be a corporate sell-out – even in death. He put a clause in his will which demands that his music never be used in commercials.
That part of the will reads: “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in no event may my image or name or any music or any artistic property created by me be used for advertising purposes.”
The phrase “or any music or any artistic property created by me” was added in handwriting. Their music is credited to the “Beastie Boys” collectively, so it’s unclear whether this would prevent Ad-Rock and Mike D from ever selling the music they wrote together to advertisers, if they ever wanted to. They haven’t commented, and neither has MCA’s lawyer.
Coincidentally, the Beastie Boys have just filed a copyright claim against Monster Energy Drink for using their music in an online campaign without permission. It seems like that would’ve happened regardless of what was written in MCA’s will.
