The family of late reggae singer Bob Marley said on Thursday they will sue Universal Music Group and Verizon Wireless for using the iconic pop star’s name, likeness and image without permission. Fifty Six Hope Road Music Ltd, which is owned by the Marley family, said in a news release that Universal Music had entered an agreement with Verizon Wireless that granted the U.S. mobile service provider the right to utilize Bob Marley’s name, likeness and image to promote a new set of ringtones.

The offer, announced on Tuesday, said Verizon Wireless customers would be able to purchase ringtones of some of Marley’s music exclusively on its service. “The agreement was entered into without the permission of the Marley Family,” said the statement from Fifty Six Hope Road Music Ltd.

Universal Music Group, the world largest music company, owns Island Records, the label through which Marley recorded most of his global hits, such as “One Love” and “I Shot The Sheriff.” His greatest hits compilation, “Legend,” is the biggest-selling reggae album of all time. “UMG has not received any suit from the Marley Estate,” Universal Music Group said on Thursday.
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Reggae star Bob Marley who died of cancer in 1981 received many accolades during his lifetime and after his death. One of these is the choice of his 1977 album Exodus as the album of the century by TIME magazine. For VOA from London, Tendai Maphosa has more on that album and Bob Marley. Exodus was recorded in London and released in the summer of 1977. Bob Marley and his band the Wailers had left their native Jamaica after he was injured in an attempt on his life in December 1976.

The attack took place against the backdrop of widespread political violence between supporters of Jamaica’s two major political parties. In a bid to pacify the factions, Marley offered to stage a free concert, which he called “Smile Jamaica”. He was shot just two days before the concert. Soon after, Marley left for London and started working on Exodus. Vivien Goldman is a New York-based English journalist who was Marley’s publicist at Island Records. She has written The Book of Exodus: The Making of Bob Marley and The Wailers’ Album of the Century.
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