NY judge lets rapper Kanye West’s lawyers seek IDs of makers of Coinye West bitcoins

NEW YORK, N.Y. – A New York judge says Kanye West’s lawyers can do the research necessary to learn the identities of the creators of digital currency called Coinye West.

U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres on Thursday granted the “Gold Digger” rapper’s lawyers the legal authority to learn who will face a lawsuit saying the bitcoins were created to cash in on his fame.

The lawsuit was filed this week in Manhattan federal court and seeks unspecified damages.

The judge says there’s a likelihood West will succeed with his claims. She says West’s lawyers were told by Coinye West website operators they are anonymous and will keep it that way.

One of the websites targeted by the lawsuit put up a message after the lawsuit was filed saying: “COINYE IS DEAD. You win, Kanye.”