Rappers Ludacris, Kanye West win trial

NEW YORK (AP) -- Top-selling rappers Kanye West and Ludacris won a copyright infringement trial Thursday when a jury concluded their 2003 hit "Stand Up" did not copy a tune by New Jersey musicians.
"I hope the plaintiffs enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame," Ludacris said after the verdict was announced. "This whole experience is proof to me of why I will always fight for what I believe in."
Ten jurors returned the verdict after less than a day of deliberations in the two-week trial in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.
West was not in court.
Outside the courthouse, Ludacris signed autographs and posed for pictures before leaving for Los Angeles to promote a documentary he narrated about a female basketball team in Seattle.
Ludacris said he never doubted the jury would agree that the song he and West created did not sound like "Straight Like That," a tune created by an East Orange, N.J., group named I.O.F., or It's Only Family.
"The only thoughts and ideas I borrow from are those of my own," Ludacris said.
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