In addition, a recent press release about the music festival included this headline: All For The Love Of Bob Marley. The 19th annual festival is scheduled for March of next year on Virginia Key, near Miami. Three of Marley's kids - Stephen, Damien and Julian Marley - are scheduled to perform.
Marley, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, died in 1981 at age 36. Some of his best-known songs are I Shot The Sheriff, Jamming, No Woman, No Cry, Get Up, Stand Up and Exodus.
The lawsuit, filed by Fort Lauderdale lawyer Bruce Hemerlee, seeks unspecified damages and also asks a judge to stop Booker and the companies from using any Marley-related references in the various ventures. Hemerlee represents Rita Marley and the children through a Bahamas-based entity called Fifty-Six Hope Road Music.
Booker, whose home and businesses are in Miami, did not immediately return a telephone call on Friday seeking comment. A spokeswoman at his business said a statement may be issued later.
The lawsuit says that Rita Marley and her children have long opposed Booker's attempts to trademark Marley-related business names and that at one point they reached a licensing deal, but Booker reneged on the deal.
- AAP