Rappers Were Being Sued Over Sample
6:00AM ET June 6th, 2011
Contributor : Stephen Willis
A Rocky Williform Company

Rap group Cypress Hill secured a legal victory when a lawsuit against the group was dismissed. Soul artist Syl Johnson sued Cypress Hill in 2003 for copyright infringement, saying the group illegally sampled his song "It it Because I'm Black" on their hit album Black Sunday.

In 2008 a judge ruled that the original song was not protected because it was recorded prior to the passing of the Federal Copyright Act in 1972. Cypress Hill won a judgment for lawyer fees and court costs.

Johnson appealed the ruling, which was dismissed.