Beastie Boys Awarded Additional $668,000 in Legal Fees in Monster Energy Lawsuit

Yet another piece of the Beastie Boys vs. Monster Energy Drink lawsuit has come to an end. After winning a $1.7 million lawsuit against Monster for wrongful use of Beastie Boys music, rappers Mike D and Ad-Rock have been awarded an additional $668,000 for legal fees.

News first broke of the Beastie Boys' original lawsuit against Monster back in August 2012, after Monster posted a 23-minute medley featuring Beastie Boys songs "So What'cha Want," "Sabotage" and "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun." The mashup was then offered for free download, which constituted as wrongful use while going against the wishes of late Beastie Adam 'MCA' Yauch, whose will states no Beastie Boys song shall be used for advertising purposes.

After a lengthy court battle, the Beastie Boys won $1.7 million from Monster in June 2014. However, the lawyers representing the Beasties slapped the defunct group with a hefty bill surpassing the actual amount won in the trial. U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer wrote in a recent ruling that the "Beastie Boys opted to pay for, and received, the 'Cadillac Escalade,' not the 'Honda Civic'" of legal representation.

Beastie Boys sought for an additional $2.4 million to pay for legal fees, though they spent slightly less than that figure seeking justice. Overall, the Beastie Boys were awarded $668,000, leaving Ad-Rock, Mike D and the estate of the late Adam 'MCA' Yauch with $532,000 in gross earnings. Doing some quick math, this means the Beastie Boys spent roughly $1.84 million in attorneys fees.

Though the New York Times has attempted to contact Monster about the latest court ruling, the company has not responded to the publication's messages as of press time.