p2pnet news | Music:- Jamaican reggae star Bob Marley died in 1981 but his music lives on, and this means the corporate music industry wants to wring it out to the very last drop, as do his suriving realtives.

Family members said they’d sue Universal Music Group and Verizon Wireless for using his, “name, likeness and image without permission”.

Fifty Six Hope Road Music Ltd, owned by the Marleys, said UMG had an agreement with Verizon Wireless which granted it, “the right to utilize Bob Marley’s name, likeness and image to promote a new set of ringtones,” said Reuters.

But, the family objected, “calling it tantamount to an endorsement and saying that it required their approval,” says the Jamaica Gleaner, going on:

“After Verizon Wireless appeared Thursday to have removed itself from the dispute, the Marley family said it would not follow through with plans to file a suit against the carrier for trademark infringement.

“The family said Verizon had ‘ceded’ to its demands and taken most of the 44 ringtones by the singer off the Verizon Wireless website.

“Sixteen ringtones remained on the site, songs from early in Marley’s career that are owned by companies other than Universal.”

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Also See:
Reuters - Bob Marley family says to sue Universal, Verizon, August 31, 2007
Jamaica Gleaner - Ol’ pirates come to rob I’? - Marley family protests Verizon ringtone deal, September 17, 2007

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