Sony Counters Claims of Hendrix’s Bandmates Over Copyrights
Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd. has stated that Jimi Hendrix’s former bandmates, bassist Noel Redding and drummer John “Mitch” Mitchell, have no copyright claims to the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s music.
According to a report by Law360, Sony’s defense, presented to the High Court on April 4, argues that the estates of Redding and Mitchell have not shown they own the copyrights. Sony’s documents mention that the musicians had agreed to the recording and use of their music.
Defense
The defense details, “Redding and Mitchell ‘agreed and consented to the fixation of the performances in the recordings, and to the commercial release and exploitation of the recordings.'”
Redding and Mitchell’s estates have accused Sony of copyright infringement, stating that the band members “died in poverty having never received their true entitlement”. They argue that previous agreements did not consider the impact of streaming services on music consumption.
Right to use the band’s recordings
Sony, however, maintains that it has the right to use the band’s recordings through a license from Experience Hendrix LLC, the copyright owner.
