AP - Ludacris has lopped off the long braids that have been his trademark for nearly a decade — and not because of the heat.

E! Online - After deliberating for less than a day, a New York jury ruled Thursday that Kanye West and Ludacris did not violate another group's copyright when they recorded their hit 2003 single "Stand Up," which was later featured on Chris "Ludacris" Bridges' Chicken & Beer album.

A New York court clears US rappers Kanye West and Chris "Ludacris" Bridges of stealing another act's music.

AP - Top-selling rappers Kanye West and Ludacris won a copyright infringement trial Thursday when a jury concluded their 2003 hit "Stand Up" did not copy a tune by New Jersey musicians.

Reuters - Rappers Christopher "Ludacris" Bridges and Kanye West were cleared on Thursday of accusations they pilfered rhythms and phrases from a song by a small New Jersey group who had filed a copyright case in a New York court.