Jay Z n Timbaland Sued Over Copyright Infringement

Rapper Jay Z and Timbaland are being sued by the heirs of Baligh Hamdi, an Egyptian composer who created the 1957 hit Khosara Khosara that has elements featured in the rapper's hit.

Jay Z has told a jury that he does not believe he infringed the copyright of an Arabic song which featured on the hit which launched his career, Big Pimpin'.

The rapper spent 90 minutes testifying in a Los Angeles courtroom where he told stories about his life, success and the creative process he and producer Timbaland went through to make the track.

The star, whose real name is Shawn Carter, used one of his old CDs - introduced into evidence by a lawyer for Hamdi's family - to illustrate his point.

"We have the rights as you can see on the bottom of the CD," Carter told jurors, referencing liner notes that credits Khosara Khosara. 

Timbaland also thought the pair were clear to use part of the trackBut he added that it was not his responsibility to clear rights for music used in his recordings.

"That's not what I do. I make music," he said.

He mixed his testimony with a mix of no-nonsense, one-word answers, humility and humorous moments.

When Pete Ross, the lawyer for Hamdi's heirs, attempted to show him a passage in a book Carter had written about his lyrics, the performer wryly said: "You can read it from over there."

The courtroom burst into laughter, as it did again when Carter was asked by his own lawyer about artists whose careers he had fostered, including Rihanna, J Cole and Kanye West.

"Some people may have heard of him," Carter's lawyer, Andrew Bart, said of West.

"One or two," Carter responded. "He's running for president." 

The rapper was more serious when questioned about the rights to Khosara Khosara, which he said he thought had been properly negotiated after issues were raised following the release of Big Pimpin'.

Carter gave mostly curt answers, responding "yes" or "no" or "correct" to many questions. 

Lawyers for Carter and Timbaland, whose real name is Timothy Mosely, told jurors on Tuesday that Hamdi's family had been repeatedly paid for the use of Khosara Khosara. 

Four notes from the song's 74 notes are repeated throughout Big Pimpin', a music expert testified on Wednesday. 

Defence lawyers are expected to begin their case on Thursday. 

Carter has been accused of lacing vulgar lyrics over Hamdi's beautiful melody without receiving the proper permission, although Big Pimpin's lyrics are not an issue in the case.