A federal judge has cleared the path for digital art collective PleasrDAO to pursue legal action against Martin Shkreli regarding unauthorized distribution of Wu-Tang Clan’s “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” album copies. The ruling enables the blockchain-based organization to advance claims that Shkreli improperly retained and circulated digital versions of the exclusive album following its court-ordered forfeiture in 2018.
The controversial pharmaceutical executive originally purchased the sole copy of the album for $2 million in 2015, positioning it as one of the most exclusive musical works ever created. However, legal proceedings forced Shkreli to surrender the physical album as part of his 2017 securities fraud conviction. Despite this forfeiture, PleasrDAO alleges Shkreli maintained and distributed digital copies of the recording in violation of the court’s disposition order.
PleasrDAO, which subsequently acquired the album through a $4 million purchase from the U.S. government, now seeks legal recourse for what it claims constitutes unlawful retention and dissemination of the protected work. The judge’s determination establishes grounds for the collective to demonstrate potential copyright violations and breach of forfeiture terms in subsequent proceedings. This case represents a significant intersection of digital rights, collector’s item preservation, and legal accountability in the blockchain era.
