Stir it up: Marley estate files to halt Verizon deal

Earlier this week, Verizon Wireless announced an agreement with Universal Music Group to release ringtones spotlighting the music of late reggae icon Bob Marley--now The New York Times reports the Marley estate will file a lawsuit to halt the deal. Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, the Marley family's longtime spokesman, told the NYT he was first approached by Verizon months ago--while the operator proposed a deal to license the Marley catalog, Blackwell countered that if VZW wished to market ringtones on an exclusive basis and use Marley's image to advertise its services, such an agreement amounted to an endorsement. "It was not something we were willing to consider unless they were willing to view it as an endorsement," Blackwell said, explaining that an endorsement contract would allow the estate to determine the parameters of how Marley's image and name could be used. Instead, Verizon simply inked a deal with Universal, Marley's label. 

In a statement, Universal called the Marley estate's claims "meritless," adding "We are offering Bob Marley ringtones through Verizon in accordance with the terms of a longstanding contract between Bob Marley and UMG." Blackwell contends "I cannot accept the way Universal is treating the estate. We don't want this deal done. We want to sustain Bob Marley's reputation, and they've done this without any permission from us, and we feel they're absolutely not entitled to do so."

For more on the Bob Marley lawsuit:
- read this New York Times article

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