A federal judge on Thursday refused to throw out Beastie Boys’ $1.7 million jury verdict against Monster Beverage Corp over the energy drink company’s use of the hip-hop group’s music in a promotional video without permission.
In a 69-page decision, U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer in Manhattan said there was "ample basis" to believe the video could confuse people into believing incorrectly that Beastie Boys, a 2012 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, had endorsed Monster energy drinks.