The Beastie Boys have been awarded $1.7 (£1.1) million in a case battling the unauthorised use of their music in adverts by the fizzy drinks brand, Monster. After some deliberation, jurors decided to order Monster to make a huge payout for its unauthorised use of the Beastie Boys' iconography and songs for in a 2012 YouTube video advert.

The damages are short of the band's requested $2 million but are far higher than Monster's suggested fine of $125,000. The drinks company admitted the infringement yet argued that it was an honest mistake.

Regardless, the jury awarded $120,000 (£71,000) for each of ten violations of copyright plus $500,000 (£297,000) after finding that the California-based company's ads had suggested a false endorsement of its products by using the band's image without permission.

The tracks that were found to have been un lawfully used include 'Sabotage,' 'So Watcha Want,' 'Make Some Noise,' 'Pass the Mic' and 'Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun.'

More: Beastie Boys reject offer to use 'Sabotage' for Arnold Schwarzenegger film.

"We're happy," said Adam 'Ad Rock' Horovitz, via BBC News, after learning of the New York court's decision. When the verdict was read in court, he was reportedly seen clasping his wife's hand and nodding after an intense eight-day trial.

The rap unit's ironclad stance against their songs being used to endorse commercial products is prompted by the wishes of late Beastie Boys member, Adam 'MCA' Yauch, who died in May 2012. In his will, Yauch left instructions to stop people from using his music or image in advertising.

More: Beastie Boys embroiled in battle with Goldieblox's 'Girls' parody song.

The will read: "In no event may my image or name or any music or any artistic property created by me be used for advertising purposes." In court, third member Michael 'Mike D' Diamond reiterated that the band was protective of its catalogue of music in the wake of Yauch's death.

Lawyers for Monster have said that the company would appeal against the ruling.

Adam Yauch
Adam Yauch Left Instructions Saying He Didn't Want Beastie Boys Songs Used In Ads.