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LAS VEGAS — A federal jury has sided with Bob Marley's family in ruling against a Nevada company accused of making and selling apparel featuring the reggae icon's image.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Friday that jurors ruled against AVELA and owner Leo Valencia, awarding $300,000 in damages to a company owned by Marley's family.
U.S. District Judge Philip Pro is expected to award more damages after determining how much profit was lost because of unfair competition.
A lawyer told the jury in Las Vegas that Bob Marley's children don't want to see the reggae legend portrayed as a bobblehead or a plush toy.
Marley died in 1981 at age 36. His heirs, under the name Fifty-Six Hope Road Music Ltd. and Zion Rootswear, filed the lawsuit in January 2008.
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Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A lawyer told a federal jury in Las Vegas that Bob Marley's children don't want to see the reggae legend portrayed as a bobblehead or a plush toy.
Attorney Jill Pietrini used closing arguments in a lawsuit to cast a business interference claim as a battle for the Jamaican singer's legacy.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Friday that Marley's widow and nine of his 11 children are seeking damages from a Nevada corporation called AVELA and its licensees.
They accuse the defendants of improperly making and selling apparel featuring Marley's image.
Attorney Byron Ball, who represents the defendants, says Marley's name isn't being improperly used.
Marley's heirs, under the name Fifty-Six Hope Road Music Ltd. and Zion Rootswear, filed the lawsuit in 2008.
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Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com
