RITA Marley and her children have brought action in the United States District Court, Central District of California against several parties that have been manufacturing, distributing and offering for sale certain potpourri/kush products which bear Bob Marley’s name, image, trademark, persona and likeness.

The lawsuit is being brought by Fifty Six Hope Road Music Ltd., the company founded by Bob Marley’s wife and children and the legal entity holding the trademark, publicity, persona and other intellectual property rights to legendary reggae artist Bob Marley.

“Hope Road has never granted a licence to any party to use any of the Bob Marley IP on such products, which have been made to resemble synthetic marijuana. Hope Road intends to vigorously pursue any parties involved in the manufacture, distribution and sale of these infringing Bob Marley products,” said Hope Road’s general counsel Timothy Ervin of the firm Gallant & Ervin, LLC.

Hope Road obtained an ex-parte seizure order and accompanied by the United States Marshal’s office conducted a raid on the facilities of the named defendants on June 5, 2012 seizing thousands of illegal Bob Marley products. 

“We have never authorised any party to sell these types of products with our father’s image and likeness on them and are very upset to see that people are buying these products and being harmed by them. As a result we felt compelled to take action against the parties that have been illegally manufacturing, distributing and selling these unauthorised goods,” said Cedella Marley, a director of Hope Road and Bob’s daughter.