Martin Shkreli, known as 'Pharma Bro', has suggested involving Wu-Tang Clan members in the legal dispute over the group's unique album.
Shkreli's court motion
On January 6, Shkreli filed a dismissal motion in Brooklyn federal court, arguing that if the dismissal bid fails, Wu-Tang member Robert Diggs (known as RZA) and the album's producer Tarik Azzougarh (Cilvaringz) should be included in the lawsuit as 'they maintain a property interest in the copyrights' to the album. Shkreli claims that 'a determination that Plaintiff fully owns the Musical Work will disturb their 50% ownership and leave them subject to inconsistent and competing obligations.'
PleasrDAO's response
PleasrDAO sued Shkreli in June 2024, claiming he wrongfully held onto and threatened to release digital copies of the physical one-off Wu-Tang Clan album called Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, causing 'significant monetary and irreparable harm' to the group. DAO claims its purchase of the album from the government included an agreement wherein Shkreli gave up all rights, titles, and interests in the album. PleasrDAO stated that Shkreli's motion 'badly misconstrues the nature' of their lawsuit.
Lawsuit development
In August, Judge Pamela Chen ordered Shkreli to 'turn over all of his copies, in any form,' of the album and sign an affidavit stating he no longer possesses any copies. In September, PleasrDAO expressed doubts about Shkreli's complete compliance with the order and requested a deeper search. In January 2025, PleasrDAO's lawyers claimed 'there remain unresolved issues' with Shkreli's compliance with the order.
The legal battle between Shkreli and PleasrDAO continues, drawing attention from the public and Wu-Tang Clan members to the complex issue surrounding the unique album copy.
