Publishers heading to court over Bob Marley catalogue

Cayman Music and Blue Mountain Music are heading to court over royalty disputes for songs from the catalogue of Bob Marley. Blue Mountain Music is being sued by Cayman Music for alleged misattribution and diversion of income.

Cayman represented Marley’s catalogue from 1967 to 1976. Chris Blackwell’s Blue Mountain Music published various Bob Marley titles from the mid 1970s onwards. Both publishers retain some of the singer’s work to the present day.

The tracks in question include ‘70s hit No Woman No Cry and were written by Marley. Cayman says that the music publisher’s share was never credited to it, therefore being denied its contracted entitlement for over 40 years.

Additionally, the named writers (such as Vincent Ford) are said to have lost out on performance income. The trial will begin on May 12.

Source: Music Week