NEW YORK — Martin Shkreli, the controversial former pharmaceutical executive infamous for drastically raising the price of a vital medication, has been directed by a federal court to surrender all copies of the unique Wu-Tang Clan album “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” by the end of the week. The court’s mandate comes as part of a broader legal challenge involving a breach of agreement over the album’s exclusivity.
Judge Pamela K. Chen of Brooklyn ruled that Shkreli must disclose the whereabouts of all copies of the album, sometimes described as the world’s most exclusive musical work, and list anyone to whom he has distributed the tracks by September 30. Furthermore, Shkreli is required to account for any profits derived from the album.
The litigation originated in June when Shkreli was sued by PleasrDAO, a cryptocurrency group that purchased the album from Shkreli for $4.75 million. The group contends that Shkreli breached their contract by retaining digital copies of the album and sharing it with followers on social media platforms.
Steven Cooper, PleasrDAO’s attorney, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, noting that the order was a crucial step to prevent Shkreli’s ongoing inappropriate actions regarding the album. “This ruling is an important victory for our client, ensuring that the exclusivity of the album is maintained,” Cooper stated.
Contrasting this view, Edward Paltzik, Shkreli’s lawyer, downplayed the significance of the judge’s order. He emphasized that the ruling does not predict the lawsuit’s final outcome nor does it validate the allegations against Shkreli. “The order merely maintains the status quo as the case continues to unfold,” Paltzik commented in an email.
The album “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” has a storied history, representing a unique approach to music distribution by the Wu-Tang Clan. The renowned hip-hop group labored over the 31-track double album for six years and released it in 2015 under strict terms that it should not enter the public domain, treating it akin to a piece of contemporary art.
Shkreli, dubbed “Pharma Bro” in media circles, originally acquired the album at an auction for $2 million. His purchase occurred prior to his conviction on charges of defrauding investors through two unsuccessful hedge funds. Following his legal and financial troubles, the album was sold in 2021 to cover part of Shkreli’s debts from various court rulings.
Released from prison in 2022 after serving a majority of a seven-year sentence, Shkreli’s interaction with “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” continues to stir legal and public discussions about the intersections of art, exclusivity, and rights to digital content. The current court proceedings may set precedents on how exclusive digital content is treated legally and ethically in the increasingly digitized world of music and art collections.