PS-- Just because you never filed with the LOC doesn't mean that your work isn't protected by copyright. BUT, it also doesn't mean that you can't file the paperwork RIGHT NOW. Go and do it. Ther are certain benefits (like recovering your court costs from the defendant, if I remember correctly) that you can get only when you file (assuming you win the case, of course). In any event, file the paperwork now. It's worth it to make it official before you go off to war.
GJ
---------- Post added at 12:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 PM ----------
Yeah, see here's the deal (again, I stress talk to a lawyer because I'm not one, but here's the deal anyway)-- Whoever the idjut was that jacked the beat, whoever allowed it to be stolen and used without clearance (whether it was Jimmy Iovine or a series of flunkies), whoever thought that you wouldn't care, wouldn't find out, wouldn't know what to do, or whatever, they just made a REALLY, REALLY COSTLY mistake, that could have been avoided by simply shelling-out another $230 (which is why I'll never understand the Hip-Hop "selling beats" thing, but I digress).
When they put those words to your music, and released it like that, they legally made those two pieces into _one song_ (one legal entity, if you will). Who knows, he/they may even have filed falsified copyright info with the LOC (which means you need to make sure that you can prove your case). So anyway, now that that song is one song (inseparable), you are entitled to half of whatever the other songwriter(s) are making, as far as publishing monies, record royalties (which might be pretty small/no-existent nowadays, but still), any income from streaming, a synch fee from the music video, and on and on and on. You are in for all of it, unless you're willing to settle for a buy-out and some proper credit, but at this point, if I was you there's _no way_ I'd let them off the hook for $250. All songwriters on a given song are entitled to their percentages, and in the absence of an agreement that spells-out your share, it comes down to a split (half).
Call an attorney, and get your piece. This is what you've been waiting for, and the bonehead just gave it to you. Just make sure your documentation is in order.
GJ
---------- Post added 10-19-2012 at 06:09 AM ---------- Previous post was 10-15-2012 at 12:24 PM ----------
PS-- Please keep us informed. I'd _really_ like to know what happens with this. BTW, I think I probably forgot to mention that if you have a sample in that beat, hopefully you've got it cleared. Otherwise, you _and_ the jacking artist might be in for trouble...
GJ