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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 (pictured below) 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, 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.