Family Argues Right To Exploit JIMI HENDRIX' Legacy
July 12, 2008, 16 years ago
According to Paul Shukovsky from /Seattlepi.com, family factions of Seattle music legend JIMI HENDRIX Hendrix continued their feud over the rights to commercially exploit his legacy in federal court Friday (July 11th).
After hearing oral arguments in the civil case, U.S. District Judge Thomas Zilly said he will rule later on whether to toss out the lawsuit or proceed to trial.
The battle pits Leon Hendrix, Jimi's brother, against adopted sister Janie Hendrix.
Janie's Experience Hendrix company filed suit against Leon's Electric Hendrix for its use of Jimi's likeness, signature and the slogan A Jimi Hendrix Family Company to promote Jimi Hendrix Electric Vodka. The vodka comes in a purple bottle, evoking the Jimi Hendrix hit, 'Purple Haze'.
Janie's attorney, John Wilson Jr., told Zilly those elements are trademarks belonging to her company and that such use is an illegal infringement.
But attorney W. Mack Webner, representing Leon, took issue with Wilson arguing that Experience Hendrix only owns a piece of the Hendrix legacy, not all of it.
The case hinges on arcane and complex interpretations of law, including factors such as whether the likeness, signature and slogan used to promote the vodka are intentionally similar to those used by Experience Hendrix and whether consumers would be confused over which company was selling the liquor.
Outside the courtroom Friday, Leon proclaimed: "I am the patriarch of the Hendrix family. Janie, my adopted sister, doesn't give the Hendrix family any money out of the millions they make.
"I've got family out on Rainier that Jimi loved -- that raised me and Jimi, and they don't get nothing."
