Former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli, also known as “Pharma Bro”, has been ordered by a federal judge to turn over all copies of the ultra-rare unreleased 2015 Wu-Tang Clan album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. The album, which was created over six years, was sold to Shkreli for $2 million in 2015 but was forfeited after his 2021 securities fraud conviction.
The album was later purchased by PleasrDAO, a cryptocurrency collective, for $4.75 million. PleasrDAO then sued Shkreli, accusing him of retaining and disseminating digital copies of the album in violation of their deal. The judge has ordered Shkreli to produce all copies of the album and report anyone he distributed the music to by September 30, along with any revenues received from it.
Steven Cooper, an attorney for PleasrDAO, called the ruling an important victory and expressed satisfaction that the judge recognized the need for immediate relief to thwart Shkreli’s actions. Shkreli’s lawyer, Edward Paltzik, stated that the judge’s order maintains the status quo of the lawsuit and does not impact the final outcome.
Shkreli’s past actions include publicly bragging about still having a copy of the album, which he streamed parts of online after his release from a seven-year sentence for fraud. The judge’s order also prohibits him from possessing, using, disseminating, or selling any interests in the album, and requires him to provide a detailed accounting of copies and revenue.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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