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| Bob Marley |
LEGENDARY reggae star, Bob Marley is making headlines after 34 years
of his exit as he was listed among Forbes’ richest dead celebrities yet
again. The list was released on a day, the United States Supreme Court
rejected an appeal from clothing companies claiming legal rights to sell
shirts with the image of the reggae icon. The iconic reggae singer
moved up one place from last year to take fourth place on the list of
highest-earning dead celebrities.
Annual earnings
Marley reportedly raked in a cool $21 million over the past year, one
million more than he earned last year. In addition to his music, much
of the late singer’s annual earnings came from the Marley Beverage
company, producers of the drink Marley’s Mellow Mood and House of
Marley, makers of the eco-friendly audio and lifestyle products bearing
the entertainer’s name.
The $21 million earned by Marley over the last year may seem a lot,
but is only a mere drop in the money pool when compared to the figure
grossed by the highest dead earner on Forbes’ list.
The top spot is occupied by none other than the King of Pop , Michael
Jackson. The late singer holds the number one position for yet another
year, raking in a cool $115 million over the past year. The main drivers
of Jackson’s afterlife fortune include the Vegas Cirque du Soleil show –
Michael Jackson One – the Mijac Music catalogue, recorded music sales
and half of the Sony /ATV publishing empire.
From the King of Pop to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley.
Presley came in at number two on the list, earning $55 million.
Cartoonist Charles Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts character, is
number three on the list with earnings of $40 million, while legendary
actress Elizabeth Taylor completes the top five with a $20-million
earning over the last year.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press, earlier in the week reported how the
United States Supreme Court let a lower court ruling stand that
merchandisers used Marley’s likeness to sell clothing at Wal-Mart,
Target and other stores without permission from the reggae legend’s
children.
The report stated that Marley’s children control the rights to the
reggae star’s image through a company called Fifty-Six Hope Road Music.
The company sued rivals A.V.E.L.A. and others in 2008, arguing that
their sales of the late reggae singer’s merchandise violated federal
trademark law. A federal court ordered the companies to pay more than
US$1 million in profits and damages.
The court agreed citing evidence on a Lanham Act claim made by the
plaintiffs that consumers were confused about who endorsed the
merchandise. The Lanham Act protects against false advertising and
trademark infringement.
