Marley kin lose case over hit recordings

Sep 15, 2010 |

New York

Jamaican reggae king Bob Marley’s family has lost a lawsuit seeking the copyrights to some of his best-known recordings, including cult hits like I Shot the Sheriff and No Woman, No Cry. US district judge Denise Cote ruled that Universal Music Group owned the copyright to five albums the late star recorded between 1973 and 1977 for Island Records, reported New York Post.
Marley’s widow and children had sought millions in damages for UMG’s alleged attempts to “exploit” his re-cordings. They also claimed UMG had failed to consult with them on key licensing decisions, among them the use of Marley’s music on ringtones. The albums in question, Catch a Fire, Burnin, Natty Dread, Rastaman Vibrations and Exodus, were recorded by Marley with his band The Wailers. His greatest hits compilation, Legend, is the biggest-selling reggae album of all time. The judge ruled that Marley’s recordings were “works made for hire” as defined under US copyright law.

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