By Paul Shepard on Sep 14th 2010 2:43PM
Filed under: News, Politics, Race and Civil Rights
The copyrights for some of Bob Marley's greatest recording have been awarded to a record company in a decision that defeated Rita Marley's quest for millions of dollars in damages from recording interests.
The UMG Recordings unit of Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group will now control the copyrights for five Marley albums produced for Island Records from 1973 to 1977. The albums, 'Catch a Fire,' 'Burnin', 'Natty Dread,' 'Rastaman Vibrations' and 'Exodus,' were the first international releases for the reggae icon and represent the golden age of Marley's recordings.
A few simple legal directives from Marley, who died in 1981 of cancer, could have helped his survivors avoid the courtroom battles that have surrounded his estate for decades, but the devout Rasta left no guidance as to who should claim his legacy and profits.
At this point, it is a recording company, not his widow, Rita (pictured), nor his nine children, who appear to be the major victors in this fight. The judge found that Marley's recording were "works made for hire" as defined under U.S. copyright law.
One benefit of the decision will likely be that Marley's music should get far better distribution to younger generations unfamiliar with his groundbreaking work. That's a good thing, but while it seems the record company has the law on its side, it doesn't seem right that Marley's family is cut out of the profits.
Marley's family sued UMG for withholding royalties and failing to consult the family on licensing decisions, such as the use of Marley's music on cell phone ring tones.
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Comments: (6)
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By: im str8t on 9/14/2010 3:17PM
Parliment, James Brown, and many others have lost this battle as well. Old school artist just didn't have or wasn't given the information needed to protect their rights as musicians.
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By: poetrysez on 9/14/2010 4:48PM
This is a shame. Frankie Lymon tried to get royalties before he passed but wasn't successful. However, after the courts decided who his legal wife was, she was able to collect his royalties and copyrights. Unfortunately, two of the other members of the Teenagers who co-wrote “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” weren't able to get royalties because they waited too long to sue the record company :(
@ im str8t, sad but true :(
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By: ADWA on 9/15/2010 7:53AM
If this is true, then once again the greedy vultures are willing to sacrifice their souls for money and make life a living hell for their children. The artist is Burning Spear, the album is Jah Is Real. Theres a song on that album called "Wickedness" and it explains how these vultures have been robbing and looting reggae music and reggae artists since 1969. Probably even goes back further than that. Just remember, Jah people will win and the demons will surely lose. One Jah, One Aim, One Destiny.
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By: ADWA on 9/15/2010 8:40AM
Let me correct myself. These vultures have been exploiting reggae music since artist started recording reggae music since way back when. It is Burning Spears music they have been exploiting since 1969 and even til this day he is still fighting these heathens for rights over his music. Go pick up the album Jah Is Real and listen carefully because throughout this whole album he's exposing this wicked music industry.
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By: poetrysez on 9/15/2010 5:50PM
Back in the day there was a Jamaican record studio that allowed people to cut a record but you were only given the record not the master copy. And radio stations were charging people to get airtime ( just like America back in the day ).
This is the messed up part-if the record became a hit-the record studeo contols the profits because they own the master copy-and you own the record that you walk out of the studeo with. The radio stations and record studeo were all crooks who stole the copyrighted material from many talented Jamaican artists.
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By: RODSAN2000 on 1/25/2011 2:51PM
Anytime someone cheats artists (or his estate) out of their just rewards, its not right, even when the law is on their side. JUST LIKE WHEN WE BURN CD'S AND DVD'S FOR OUR FRIENDS INSTEAD OF BUYING ANOTHER COPY.
Think about it.
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