Rapper Macklemore’s Wins Against Jazz Musician OK’d by 5th Cir.

The rap duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis sufficiently proved they didn’t infringe a New Orleans jazz musician’s copyrights with their hit songs “Thrift Shop,” “Can’t Hold Us,” the Fifth Circuit affirmed.

Paul Batiste didn’t show that the rapper and producer had access to his works, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled Tuesday.

It also upheld an attorneys’ fees award of over $125,000 for the duo, citing Batiste’s unreasonable claims and inappropriate litigation tactics.

Batiste sued Macklemore & Ryan Lewis in New Orleans federal court for allegedly using unauthorized samples and copying original elements of 11 of ...