Thursday 5 July 2012

Marley family sues over use of Bob Marley's image - BE WARNED


Marley family sues over use of Bob Marley's image - BE WARNED


Bob Marley's widow Rita and her children have brought action in the United States District Court, Central District of California against several parties that have been manufacturing, distributing and offering for sale certain potpourri/kush products which bear the Jamaican reggae legend's name, image, trademark, persona and likeness.

Fifty Six Hope Road Music Ltd, the company founded by Bob Marley's wife and children and the legal entity holding the trademark, publicity, persona and other intellectual property rights to iconic reggae artist Bob Marley, is bringing the lawsuit. According to Hope Road's general counsel Timothy Ervin of the firm Gallant & Ervin, LLC: "Hope Road has never granted a licence to any party to use any of the Bob Marley IP [intellectual property] on such products, which have been made to resemble synthetic marijuana.

"Hope Road intends to vigorously pursue any parties involved in the manufacture, distribution and sale of these infringing Bob Marley products."

Hope Road obtained an ex-parte seizure order and accompanied by the United States Marshal's office conducted a raid on the facilities of the named defendants earlier this month, seizing thousands of illegal Bob Marley products.

"We have never authorised any party to sell these types of products with our father's image and likeness on them and are very upset to see that people are buying these products and being harmed by them," said Cedella Marley, a director of Hope Road and Bob's daughter.

"As a result we felt compelled to take action against the parties that have been illegally manufacturing, distributing and selling these unauthorised goods.

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