An ex-staff member of Eminem, the Grammy-acclaimed rapper, has been accused of illegally disseminating the artist's music online. According to U.S. Attorney Julie Beck, Joseph Strange, who served under Eminem—whose real name is Marshall Mathers—from 2007 until 2021, has been indicted for criminal copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen property stemming from the unauthorized sale of unreleased Eminem tracks.
On January 16th, an employee at Eminem's studio in Ferndale, Michigan, reached out to the FBI after discovering that the rapper's unfinished works, which he was still perfecting, were being listed for sale across multiple websites. As detailed in the criminal complaint, "The staff immediately recognized the music as an image extracted directly from a hard drive within the Ferndale studio," according to the press release.
Through meticulous investigation, the FBI managed to trace the buyers of the leaked tracks back to Strange, who was identified as the perpetrator behind the sales.
In her statement, Beck emphasized, "Safeguarding intellectual property from theft is paramount to preserving creators' exclusive rights and shielding their original works from being replicated and distributed by those who aim to capitalize on others' creativity."
Should Strange be convicted of criminal copyright infringement, he risks a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine ceiling of $250,000. For the charge of interstate transportation of stolen goods, he could face an extended term of up to ten years behind bars. It's important to note that a criminal complaint cannot lead to a felony trial directly; thus, officials will decide after their investigation whether to pursue a felony indictment. The case is currently under investigation by special agents from the FBI's Oakland County Resident Agency.
Cheyvoryea Gibson, the special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan, underscored, "This investigation highlights the FBI's dedication to protecting artists' intellectual property from exploitation by individuals seeking unlawful profits. Thanks to the collaboration with Mathers Music Studio, FBI agents from the Oakland County Resident Agency swiftly enforced federal laws, ensuring Joseph Strange is held accountable for his actions."
Last year, Eminem made a triumphant return with fresh music, including his album "The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)," which garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album at the 2025 ceremony. His single "Houdini" was also nominated in the categories of Best Rap Performance and Best Music Video.
