Mike Tyson Settles 'Murdergram' Lawsuit: A Deep Dive into Celebrity Copyright and Social Media

The Knockout Blow: Mike Tyson Settles Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Over "Murdergram" Instagram Post

In the lead-up to his highly anticipated boxing match against Jake Paul, Mike Tyson proved that his prowess extends beyond the ring and into the viral world of social media. However, one of his promotional moves, a now-deleted Instagram video, landed him in a legal fight that has just come to a close. Mike Tyson has reportedly settled a lawsuit filed by music producer Tyrone “Ty Fyffe” Fyffe, who claimed the boxing legend used the iconic Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule song "Murdergram" without permission to promote the event. This settlement not only marks the end of a high-profile legal battle but also serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of intellectual property rights in the digital age.

The Origin of the Legal Spar: An Instagram Clip and a Classic Hip-Hop Track

The lawsuit stemmed from a video that Tyson posted on his official Instagram account. The clip, which was part of the massive marketing campaign for his November 2024 fight against Jake Paul, featured Tyson training to the aggressive and undeniable beat of "Murdergram." The song, a 1998 track from the supergroup Murder Inc., which featured hip-hop legends Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule, was a powerful choice to hype a boxing match. In the now-deleted video, Tyson was even seen singing along to the lyrics, "Murder, motherf-----."

While the Instagram video was a huge hit with fans, generating millions of views and helping to build momentum for the record-breaking Netflix event, it was allegedly created without the necessary permissions. The lawsuit, filed by producer Ty Fyffe, who co-wrote and produced the track, claimed that Tyson's unauthorized use constituted copyright infringement. The complaint stated that Tyson's use of the song misled viewers into believing that Fyffe endorsed or was affiliated with the boxing match, and that Tyson's actions caused economic losses to the producer.

The Legal Ramifications: Copyright and Celebrity Marketing

This case highlights a common but often misunderstood issue in digital marketing: the use of copyrighted music. In an era where a single social media post can reach tens of millions of people, the lines between personal use and commercial use have become increasingly blurred. For a high-profile event like the Tyson vs. Paul fight, where Tyson was reportedly paid over $20 million, the use of a copyrighted song in a promotional video is clearly a commercial activity, requiring a proper license.

The lawsuit was not filed by Jay-Z, the estate of DMX, or Ja Rule, who were also credited on the song, but by the producer who held the copyright to the musical composition. This distinction is crucial, as it shows that intellectual property rights extend beyond the celebrity performers and are held by the creators behind the scenes—the writers, composers, and producers.

The dismissal of the lawsuit, described in court filings as "dismissed with prejudice with each party bearing their own attorneys' fees," strongly suggests that an out-of-court settlement was reached. While the specific terms of the settlement are confidential, it's highly likely that a financial agreement was made to compensate Fyffe for the unauthorized use of his work. This result is a clear victory for the producer and a stern lesson for public figures and brands who use music in their marketing without securing the proper licenses.

The Broader Impact: A Precedent for Content Creators

The Mike Tyson-Ty Fyffe settlement is more than just a footnote in a high-profile boxing event; it's a significant development in the world of online content creation. As social media platforms become the primary tools for marketing and promotion, the need for creators to respect copyright law has never been more critical. This case sends a strong message that unauthorized use, even by a celebrity as big as Mike Tyson, has legal and financial consequences.

For music rights holders, this is a positive outcome. It affirms their ability to protect their intellectual property and seek compensation for its commercial use. For social media users, influencers, and brands, it’s a wake-up call to invest in proper music licensing and to understand that a viral moment comes with a legal obligation. In a world where content is king, cases like this one ensure that the creators of that content are not left behind.