Martin Shkreli must face lawsuit for allegedly copying Wu-Tang Clan album
Martin Shkreli famously bought the one and only copy of Wu-Tang Clan‘s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album in 2015. Now, he’s facing a lawsuit over it.
On September 25th, US District Judge Pamela Chen ruled that the pharmaceutical executive must face a lawsuit from PleasrDAO.
Shkreli was convicted of securities fraud and defrauding investors in 2017, giving up the album to contribute to a $7.4 million forfeiture order.
PleasrDAO coughed up around $4 million for Once Upon a Time in Shaolin in 2021, but has accused Shkreli of misappropriating the album.
According to Reuters, the company is seeking damages and profits, and asking Shkreli to return any Once Upon a Time in Shaolin copies he may still own.
Shkreli was sued in June 2024 after admitting he still had the album in his possession during a livestream, before playing it for those watching. When a PleasrDAO member posted a photo of the album on X, he replied, “LOL I have the mp3s you moron.”
Following the judge’s decision, the company is planning to “fully and aggressively” go after Shkreli regarding their case. Shkreli’s lawyer Edward Paltzik claims his client “engaged in absolutely zero wrongdoing.”
Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is the most expensive album ever sold and has never been available to the public. It was recorded in secret between 2007 and 2013.
By purchasing the Wu-Tang album at auction, Shkreli agreed not to release the project until 2103, but the terms allowed it to be played at listening parties.
Produced by RZA and Cilvaringz, the rare album features appearances from Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, GZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and many others.