In a statement issued late last night, Bob Marley Estate advisor Chris Blackwell announced that in light of the current situation, 56 hope road music, the company which oversees the Bob Marley Estate, will pursue legal action against Universal Records and Verizon Wireless. 

Further complicating the situation, Universal announced it will soon allow other carriers the use of its Island Records Marley catalog to generate ringtones for their network. 

In a written statement, Universal said it was disappointed that “the Marley estate has chosen to take such an extreme and meritless position that a customary promotional campaign highlighting the availability of Marley mastertones somehow constitutes an ‘endorsement’ of Verizon over all.” 

The lawsuit against Verizon will be lodged in the US courts this week, while a separate suit will be filed against Universal Records and its subsidiary with a few weeks. 

Over 30,000  Bob Marley ringtones have been downloaded over the Verizon network during the last two weeks, and the Bob Marley Estate is infuriated that both companies tried to circumvent the estate and have since infringed on a number of trademarks. 

Universal Records entered in to a ringtone Campaign agreement with US Cellular provider Verizon Wireless earlier this year. The agreement allowed Verizon to generate ringtones from 30 popular Bob Marley songs, including “One Love”, Soul Rebel, Three little birds, amongst others.

Ato Wolde
US West Coast Correspondent

ReggaeWire News Network

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ReggaeWire News Network
www.riddimja.com