A legal battle over royalties for Jimi Hendrix's music has ended with a ruling against the heirs of two of his bandmates. The court sided with Sony Music Entertainment and the Hendrix estate, allowing them to maintain control over the legendary guitarist's catalog.
"This decision means we can continue protecting [Jimi's] legacy with the love, care, and integrity it deserves," said Janie Hendrix, Jimi's sister, in a statement to Rolling Stone.
The lawsuit was filed by the families of Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell, the bassist and drummer of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. They claimed they were owed unpaid royalties and sought to terminate copyright assignments made decades ago.
However, the court found that the relatives had no standing to reclaim the rights, as the original agreements were valid and the statute of limitations had expired. The ruling ensures that Sony and the Hendrix estate will continue to administer the music.
Fans of the iconic guitarist can expect the current management to remain in place, handling licensing and reissues of Hendrix's groundbreaking work.