NY judge: Kanye West likely to win Coinye lawsuit

In his Oct. 22, 2012 file photo, recording artist Kanye West speaks onstage during the 17th Annual Hollywood Film Awards Gala in Beverly Hills, Calif. West filed a lawsuit Tuesday Jan. 14, 2014 in Manhattan federal court to stop production of “Coinye West” bitcoins that he says unjustly cash in on his fame. The rapper’s lawsuit seeks to stop companies and individuals that have not yet been identified from exchanging the digital currency and also seeks unspecified damages for hurting West’s reputation. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invision/AP, File)

NEW YORK—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’ll face a lawsuit saying the electronic currency was 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.”