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Kanye West has been accused of plagiarism during a hearing at the New York District Court in Manhattan.
IOF, a New Jersey group, have said that West, along with rapper Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges, stole the lyrics and beats from their song 'Straight Like That', to create the 2003 hit 'Stand Up'.
The words "like that" are at issue in the case, and appear more than 80 times in both songs.
In the IOF track, the phrase "straight like that" is used, while in the Ludacris tune, the words "just like that" appear.
Both Ludacris and West - who co-produced 'Stand Up' - are expected to testify at the trial, BBC News reports.
Christine Lepera, lawyer for the defendants, has already criticised the case, telling the court: "There are scores of songs out there with the words 'like that' with that type of rhythm. None of you can monopolise certain expressions."
She then went on to clap her hands to demonstrate the simple beat of both songs and that neither could claim to have an original rhythm, and asked the jurors: "Do you think your three-year-old can do that?"
'Straight Like That' was not a hit for IOF and only could be heard on a few college radio stations during 2001, whereas Ludacris' 'Stand Up' sold more than 500,000 copies.
IOF's lawyer Mel Sachs however claims that Ludacris "had access to the song on numerous occasions" and that promotional copies of 'Straight Like That' had been sent out to one of the rapper's record companies.
Sachs told the jury: "(IOF) put a lot of time and effort into doing this song and then it was taken away from them."
In order to determine liability, the trial is expected to last a week. If liability is then found, a second phase of action will occur to assess damages.
Kanye West has been accused of plagiarism during a hearing at the New York District Court in Manhattan.
IOF, a New Jersey group, have said that West, along with rapper Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges, stole the lyrics and beats from their song 'Straight Like That', to create the 2003 hit 'Stand Up'.
The words "like that" are at issue in the case, and appear more than 80 times in both songs.
In the IOF track, the phrase "straight like that" is read more
Amy Winehouse could bounce back from her most recent troubles with a holiday album of Jewish tunes, if her producer pal Mark Ronson gets his way.
The Grammy-nominated DJ met up with up Winehouse recently to discuss a possible follow-up to her smash-hit album Back To Black and was amused by the Rehab singer's quirky plans to pay a musical tribute to her Jewish roots. read more
As the godfather of gangsta rap, Ice Cube helped to shape a movement that challenged norms and brought forgotten issues to light. In this SOHH exclusive, the rapper, actor and film director tells us about his new crime comedy, First Sunday, personal responsibility vs. organized religion, and why so many people are jumping on the "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It" bandwagon.
"It's an easy solution, you know, it's an easy target," Cube told that blaming gangsta rap for society's proble read more
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Amy Winehouse could bounce back from her most recent troubles with a holiday album of Jewish tunes, if her producer pal Mark Ronson gets his way. 
As the godfather of gangsta rap, Ice Cube helped to shape a movement that challenged norms and brought forgotten issues to light. In this SOHH exclusive, the rapper, actor and film director tells us about his new crime comedy, First Sunday, personal responsibility vs. organized religion, and why so many people are jumping on the "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It" bandwagon.