Mom and Dad Are Figthing Again: Jay-Z Shades Dame Dash's Auction of the masters for Reasonable Doubt

JAY-Z has formally issued a warning to potential bidders on Damon Dash's ownership stake in JAY-Z's debut album, Reasonable Doubt, indicating that those ownership rights will revert to the rapper in 2031.

According to a report by TMZ Hip Hop, JAY-Z's legal representatives recently filed this notice in anticipation of Dash’s upcoming auction, during which he plans to sell his percentage of the iconic album. The auction is scheduled for August 29, with a minimum bid set at $1.2 million.

This notice marks the latest chapter in an ongoing legal dispute between JAY-Z and his former business partner over the ownership of Reasonable Doubt. The album, released in 1996, remains the sole asset owned by Roc-A-Fella Records and its founders.

 The filing informs prospective buyers that Dash's stake in the album will only generate revenue for approximately six years. After that period, the master recordings of Reasonable Doubt will revert to JAY-Z under Section 203 of the Copyright Act, granting him full ownership.

According to the law, an artist can reclaim ownership rights to a copyrighted work 35 years after its release. In this case, JAY-Z’s legal notice indicates his intent to reclaim those rights, which could significantly impact Dash’s plans to sell his share of the album.

This legal maneuver may deter potential bidders who are unaware of the impending change in ownership, thereby affecting the perceived value of Dash’s stake.

The controversy surrounding Dash's intention to auction his share of Reasonable Doubt first emerged in 2021, prompting a swift legal response from JAY-Z's team. This led to multiple legal filings from both parties concerning the album's ownership.

In 2021, amid the ongoing litigation, Dash stated, "Yes, it’s for sale. I went to court. I’m allowed to sell my stake, so I’m doing it. Nobody’s going to tell me what I can and can’t do with mine, I don’t care who it is. So, we just do it legally and fight it out in court."

The dispute over Dash’s right to sell his ownership stake in Reasonable Doubt was eventually settled in 2022.