The estate of Jimi Hendrix is suing his bandmates’ heirs for royalties and copyright threats

Jimi Hendrix’s estate recently filed a lawsuit against the heirs of his former bandmates. They allegedly threatened to sue the estate for millions of pounds in unpaid royalties dating back decades in the UK Court, which prompted the estate to sue them. From the beginning, Lawrence Abramson, a British lawyer, has been representing the families of bassist David Noel Redding and drummer John Graham ‘Mitch’ Mitchell in this case. In December 2021, he served a cease-and-desist notice on the Estate of Jimi Hendrix. Families asserted two primary things in this notice, threatening the Estate with legal action if they did not comply:

• Mitchell and Redding’s agreements are all null and void, and
• They had a claim to Hendrix’s music, which they should be compensated for.

Hendrix Experience LLC and Authentic Hendrix LLC are said to be the only two exclusive licensees of Hendrix’s music, which is jointly held by the Hendrix Estate and Sony Music. On January 18, 2022, Hendrix Estate and Sony Music filed a lawsuit in Manhattan, New York City. They demanded a legal declaration from the court indicating that they owe no one anything.

“Given that Redding and Mitchell signed broad general releases and agreements not to sue in exchange for significant monetary consideration following Hendrix’s death, the claims are invalid,” they said. Redding agreed to release the Hendrix Estate any legal claims in April 1973, and Mitchell agreed in September 1974.” However, it’s worth noting that Hendrix and Sony are not seeking monetary damages, but rather a ruling exonerating them from any claims made by Redding and Mitchell’s attorneys.

In 1966, Hendrix formed the Jimi Hendrix Experience. They had a lot of success, especially in the United Kingdom. ‘All Along the Watchtower,’ a cover, and originals ‘Voodoo Chile,’ and ‘Purple Haze,’ are among their most well-known tunes. However, when Otis Redding left the group in 1969, it disbanded.

Hendrix died in September 1970, when he was only 27 years old. Redding, on the other hand, died in 2003, while Mitchell died in 2008. “Both die in absolute poverty having never realized their true due from their works, performances, as founding member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience,” lawyers again for group’s rhythm section claimed. This dispute revolves around the legality of Mitchell and Redding’s agreements, and everything hinges on that. Keeping track of this situation will undoubtedly aid in comprehending the requirements of a legally binding agreement.