BOB MARLEY RINGTONES PULLED FROM WEBSITE
Bosses at U.S. communications giant Verizon Wireless have pulled a series of downloadable BOB MARLEY-related ringtones from their website following complaints from the late reggae great’s estate.
Marley’s family has threatened to sue Verizon claiming the company had no right to turn the singer/songwriter’s anthems into ringtones.
Last month (Aug07), Verizon Wireless struck an exclusive licensing deal with Universal Music Group (UMG) for the entire Bob Marley catalogue.
A Verizon spokeswoman tells Billboard.com the company initially removed the content to let UMG and the Marley estate reach an agreement.
The dispute began in March (07) when Verizon refused to enter into an endorsement agreement with the Marley estate over the UMG deal.
In a statement, Island Records founder and Marley estate adviser Chris Blackwell said, "I am infuriated that Verizon would go around the estate and initiate partnership with Universal Music Group.
"We cannot and will not allow Bob Marley’s name and likeness to be used in such a manner without the authorization of the family."
Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)
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