Marleys lose to UMG

An attempt by the family of singer Bob Marley to obtain the copyright to some of his best-known recordings has been thwarted by a judge in New York, according to a report on bbc.co.uk.

According to the website, a Judge Denise Cote, ruled Universal Music Group (UMG) owned the copyright to five albums the late star recorded between 1973 and 1977 for Island Records.

Marley's widow, Rita Marley, and children had sought millions in damages for UMG's alleged attempts to 'exploit' his recordings after the reggae star's death in 1981.

The albums in question - Catch a Fire, Burnin', Natty Dread, Rastaman Vibrations and Exodus - were recorded by Marley with his band, The Wailers.

I Shot the Sheriff, One Love and No Woman, No Cry, were some of the big songs included on those five albums.

Marley's family had accused UMG of intentionally withholding royalties from their 56 Hope Road music company.

They also claimed UMG had failed to consult with them on key licensing decisions, among them the use of Marley's music on ringtones.

Last Friday, however, Judge Cote ruled that Marley's recordings were "works made for hire" as defined under United States copyright law.

This, she said, entitled UMG to be designated the owner of those recordings as the parent company of Island Records.

Robert Nesta Marley was born in Jamaica in 1945 and died in the United States in 1981.

His greatest hits compilation, Legend, is the biggest-selling reggae album of all time.