GoldieBlox and Beastie Boys In Copyright Infringement Fight Over Viral Video The girls game-maker takes some heat after a video it produced has received more than 7 million views on YouTube.

By Jason Fell

UPDATE: GoldieBlox Removes Popular Video After Legal Fight With the Beastie Boys

For one startup, viral video success has turned into a copyright infringement mess.

Earlier this week, girls game-maker GoldieBlox posted a video to YouTube featuring a trio of young girls building a detailed contraption that sends teacups and baby dolls flying around a house and is set to a rewritten version of the 1987 Beastie Boys song "Girls." In less than a week the video already has more than 7.5 million views.

The video is undeniably cute and has a positive message encouraging young girls to pursue a career in engineering. But not everyone is pleased. In a legal document filed in California federal court, GoldieBlox -- founded by former Stanford University engineer Debbie Sterling -- says: "Lawyers for the Beastie Boys claim that the GoldieBlox Girls Parody Video is a copyright infringement, is not a fair use, and that GoldieBlox's unauthorized use of the Beastie Boys intellectual property is a "big problem' that has a "very significant impact.'"

Related: GoldieBlox Video About Girls Becoming Engineers Goes Viral

In the document, GoldieBlox says its aim is to receive a "declaratory judgment" stating that its parody video and is protected by the Fair Use Doctrine and doesn't infringe any copyrights.

A press representative for Island Def Jam, the Beastie Boys' record label and one of several defendants named in the lawsuit, did not immediately return a request for comment. A representative for GoldieBlox declined to comment.

You can read the full legal complaint below:

Beastie by Adam Carrillo

Related: How a First-Time Entrepreneur's Kickstarter Project Landed on Toys 'R' Us Shelves in Less Than a Year

Jason Fell

Entrepreneur Staff

VP, Native Content

Jason Fell is the VP of Native Content, managing the Entrepreneur Partner Studio, which creates dynamic and compelling content for our partners. He previously served as Entrepreneur.com's managing editor and as the technology editor prior to that.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

Here's What Companies and Services Are Open and Closed on Juneteenth 2025

Juneteenth was designated as a federal holiday in the U.S. in 2021.

Innovation

How to Identify the Patent-Worthy Innovations in Your Business

Here's how to know which innovations are truly worth protecting — before putting time and money into filings that may never pay off.

Living

You Built a Successful Business — But Your Inner Self Got Neglected in the Process. Here's What You Can Do About It Now.

Are you disconnected from the person you were before you started your business? Here's how to regain control over your inner design.

Business News

AI Is Going to 'Replace Everybody' in Several Fields, According to the 'Godfather of AI.' Here's Who He Says Should Be 'Terrified.'

Geoffrey Hinton, called the "Godfather of AI" due to his pioneering work on AI, says some fields face a heavier risk of replacement due to automation.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.