An attempt by the relatives of reggae singer Bob Marley to obtain the copyright to some of his most famous recordings has been denied by a judge in New York.
U.S. District Judge Denise Cote declared that the UMG Recordings unit of Universal Music Group owned the copyright to five albums the late star recorded between 1973 and 1977 for Island Records.
'Catch a Fire', 'Rastaman Vibrations', 'Exodus', 'Burnin'' and 'Natty Dread' are the five albums whose ownership was in debate until yesterday. They were recorded during a pivotal and productive period of Marley’s career with his band The Wailers. The albums include some of his best-known songs, including 'I Shot the Sheriff', 'One Love' and 'No Woman, No Cry'.
Marley's family accused UMG of deliberately withholding royalties and refusing to acknowledge a 1995 agreement which would have assigned them rights over the albums in question.
Equally, UMG were accused of failing to consult with them on important licensing decisions, including the use of Marley's music as "ringtones" on various worldwide phone networks.
Judge Denise Cote declared that, "Each of the agreements provided that the sound recordings were the 'absolute property' of Island Records.” Both Parties were ordered to enter court-supervised settlement talks, to be provisionally scheduled for October 29.
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