Ex-Eminem employee pleads guilty to copyright infringement
A former studio engineer for Eminem has pleaded guilty to criminal copyright infringement for stealing and distributing unreleased music. He faces up to five years in prison for the theft of over 25 songs.
Why it matters
This case highlights the legal consequences of intellectual property theft in the music industry and the security measures taken to protect high-value creative assets.
A Michigan man and former studio engineer is facing the music for his theft of rapper Eminem's unreleased works. Joseph Strange, a 48-year-old Michigan resident, pleaded guilty to criminal copyright infringement and will be sentenced to prison in January, the Department of Justice announced Thursday. He faces up to five years in prison. Federal prosecutors accused Strange in March 2025 of stealing and selling unreleased work by Eminem (legal name Marshall Mathers III). An attorney for Strange did not immediately respond Friday to The Times' request for comment, but told Variety in a statement that his client is a "good" man and his "children have suffered greatly in all of this." The attorney said the case is "far more complicated and nuanced matter" beyond the theft.
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