Charges Filed Against Former Eminem Employee
A man with a 14-year tenure working for Eminem has been charged in Michigan for leaking over 25 unreleased songs by the rapper.
Joseph Strange, who was employed at Eminem’s recording studio, faces charges of copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods related to the sale of these unreleased tracks, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan on March 19.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE, more than 25 songs, created between 1999 and 2018 and in various development stages, have been distributed on sites like Reddit and YouTube without Eminem’s or his label’s approval.
An official spokesperson for Eminem expressed gratitude to the FBI Detroit bureau for their detailed investigation leading to Strange’s indictment. The spokesperson emphasized the profound damage a former trusted employee could inflict on Eminem’s artistic legacy and the substantial financial losses resulting from this breach.
Strange, 46, was employed at Eminem’s Michigan studio from 2007 until 2021, when he was dismissed by the rapper (born Marshall Mathers). The studio is privately held, and during his employment, Strange was one of only four individuals with access to the hard drives containing unreleased material.
Strange’s attorney stated that they intend to contest the charges in court, describing them as “unproven allegations” awaiting scrutiny by a grand jury or judge. The FBI was alerted to the situation after employees at Eminem’s studio discovered that unreleased tracks were surfacing online in January.
After an FBI investigation, it was discovered that Strange allegedly sold the unreleased songs online. A search of his home led to the confiscation of hard drives containing the unlawfully distributed music, handwritten notes, and other materials linked to Eminem. If found guilty, Strange could face up to 15 years in prison combined for his charges.
Acting U.S. Attorney Julie Beck emphasized the importance of protecting intellectual property to maintain the exclusive rights of creators against those looking to profit from the hard work of others.
