After six years of legal turmoil, Jimi Hendrix's siblings have finally come to a settlement over using the legendary guitarist's image on merchandise. Since 2009, his adopted sister and estate operator, Janie Hendrix, had been at odds with the musician's youngest brother, Leon Hendrix, over copyright infringement with Hendrix Licensing--the Nevada based company that printed and sold merchandise with the late guitarist's picture and signature despite legal permission.
After a tedious fight, a settlement was finally reached in July, stating that Hendrix Licensing can no longer sell items that invade the estate's trademark, the Seattle Times reports. The two have been known to butt heads since their father, Al Hendrix, died in 2002, leaving the $80 million estate in the control of Janie Hendrix. In 2004, Leon Hendrix disputed the will, although the Washington State Supreme Court eventually upheld Al's wishes in 2007. Jimi Hendrix joined the 27 club in 1970, leaving the world robbed of an incredible talent. He didn't leave a will behind, however, which complicated matters more.
Leon Hendrix and his business partner, Andrew Pitsicalis, ignored the settlement and distributed Jimi Hendrix merchandise, leading them into a pricey, $1.7 million lawsuit from Janie Hendrix and her Experience Hendrix LLC in 2009, Rolling Stone reports. A May 2015 injunction barring Hendrix Licensing from using Jimi Hendrix trademarks aided the eventual settlement. A July jury trial was planned to establish how much money Leon's company owed to Jimi Hendrix's estate but the two settled for an undetermined amount before the July 22 court date.
A new Paul Greengrass-directed biopic is in the works, with rights to Hendrix's music, already one-upping the previous Hendrix film, All Is By My Side. Legacy Recordings and Experience Hendrix are slated to release Hendrix's Freedom: Atlanta Pop Festival on August 28, a two CD set which documents the unforgettable Atlanta fest gig on July 4, 1970. A live album will debut on September 4, following the release of the showtime documentary, Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church.
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