PleasrDAO, a decentralized autonomous organization known for its collection of digital and physical art and charitable donations, has initiated legal action against Martin Shkreli. The lawsuit stems from Shkreli's recent livestream of the unique Wu-Tang Clan album, "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin," owned by PleasrDAO.

On June 9, Shkreli hosted an X spaces event where he allegedly streamed the album, which PleasrDAO acquired in 2021. The DAO claims this act has caused them “significant monetary and irreparable harm.”

In their official complaint, PleasrDAO stated:
"The Album was supposed to constitute the sole existing copy of the record, music, data and files, and packaging. It now appears, however, that Shkreli improperly retained copies of the data and files at the time of the forfeiture and has released and/or intends to release them to the public.”

The complaint emphasizes that such actions by Shkreli would lead to severe financial damage and irreparable harm to PleasrDAO, violating the terms of the forfeiture order and common law.

Shkreli has denounced the lawsuit, asserting that members of PleasrDAO were not consulted or given the opportunity to vote on the legal action.

PleasrDAO acquired "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" for approximately $4.75 million in 2021 during an asset forfeiture auction. Wu-Tang Clan created the album as a countermeasure to the digitization and commercialization of music, intending it to be a unique piece of high art rather than a mass-produced consumer good.

Shkreli originally purchased the album for $2 million, treating it as a highly valued possession. During a 2016 Vice interview, he even played a portion of the album. However, following his 2018 conviction for securities fraud, Shkreli was forced to surrender the album to authorities as part of his asset forfeiture.

The lawsuit highlights ongoing tensions over ownership and distribution rights of unique digital and physical assets, especially when they intersect with decentralized ownership models and high-profile personalities.