*Martin Shkreli has escalated his ongoing legal battle over the unique Wu-Tang Clan album “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” by filing a countersuit that accuses the group’s founder, RZA (Robert Diggs), and producer Cilvaringz (Tarik Azzougarh) of improperly selling the same ownership rights twice.
Billboard reports that the dispute revolves around the one-of-a-kind album, which was originally sold to Shkreli in 2015. According to his recent filing, the original purchase agreement divided the copyright ownership: Shkreli received 50% immediately, with the remaining 50% scheduled to transfer to him after 88 years (around 2103). Shkreli claims this created a binding future interest in his favor.
After Shkreli’s 2017 conviction for securities fraud, the album was seized by authorities as part of asset forfeiture. In 2021, digital art collective PleasrDAO bought it from prosecutors for $4 million. Later, in 2024, PleasrDAO paid an additional $750,000 to acquire what they believed were full ownership rights, including the future copyright portion.
Shkreli’s countersuit argues this amounts to a “duplicate sale,” as RZA and Cilvaringz allegedly transferred the same future 50% interest to PleasrDAO despite the earlier contract promising it to him. His lawyers describe an active conflict over this future ownership among Shkreli, PleasrDAO, and the Wu-Tang representatives, creating a real legal controversy that needs resolution.
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PleasrDAO has explored ways to monetize the rare recording, such as private listening events and NFT-based programs that offer limited access or accelerate a potential future release. They previously sued Shkreli, alleging he threatened to distribute the album online, which could harm its value as exclusive intellectual property. A judge recently ruled the case should proceed to trial.
In response, Shkreli challenges PleasrDAO’s secrecy claims, noting the group has publicly shared elements through NFT sales and other promotions. He asserts they never acquired a truly “secret” work.
PleasrDAO’s attorney, Steven Cooper, dismissed the countersuit as another attempt by Shkreli to delay and distract, predicting it will fail like previous efforts. Cooper argued that the court-ordered forfeiture in Shkreli’s criminal case stripped him of any remaining contractual rights.
Known as hip-hop’s most exclusive release, “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” exists as a single physical disc housed in an ornate metal case, with strict rules prohibiting widespread distribution until the 22nd century.
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