Sony Music Entertainment Moves Closer to Trial
Sony Music Entertainment is one step closer to the full trial version of the music recorded by Jimi Hendrix.
The musical company that distributes the recordings of the legendary Jimi Hendrix has lost an appeal in front of a British court, where it sought to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the estates of Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding, two other members of the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Hendrix, Mitchell, and Redding formed the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1966, with Mitchell on drums and Redding on bass guitar. The group disbanded in 1969, just a year before Hendrix died due to a drug overdose. Redding passed away in 2003, and Mitchell in 2008.
Claim to Album Rights
The estates of Mitchell and Redding claim they own a share of the three albums released by the Jimi Hendrix Experience: Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love, and Electric Ladyland. Most of the music associated with Jimi Hendrix today comes from these albums, including the classic cover of Bob Dylan‘s All Along the Watchtower.
Reportedly, Hendrix, Mitchell, and Redding signed an agreement in 1966, the year the band was formed, which was established by the group’s then-managers, Michael Jeffrey and Chandler, that involved certain rights to the sound recordings.
Sony referred to a 1973 agreement where Mitchell and Redding agreed not to sue Hendrix or the recording companies distributing the music. Redding was paid $100,000, and Mitchell received $247,500 in exchange for waiving their claims to the group’s music rights, according to Reuters.
Nevertheless, this case hinges on the extent of these rights, particularly whether they encompass future technological changes, such as streaming.
On Thursday (February 6), the Supreme Court upheld the ruling from the appeal court of England and Wales, as reported by a global legal group.
“Noel and Mitch first issued their complaint in November 2021, and after Sony’s latest delay tactics, they refused to dismiss the case. As it stands now, the case is set for a full trial planned for December 2025,” said Edward Adams, director of the estates of Mitchell and Redding.
“We have faith in the justice system that they and their licensee, Experience Hendrix LLC, will ultimately be held accountable.”
Legal Proceedings and Future Implications
Sony Music licenses Jimi Hendrix Experience recordings from Experience Hendrix, a company owned by the heirs of Jimi Hendrix.
In 2021, the estates of Mitchell and Redding claimed they had a share of the recording rights and were owed millions in royalties, according to Billboard.
Sony and Experience Hendrix responded by filing a lawsuit against the estates in a federal court in New York. Mitchell and Redding filed their own lawsuits in the UK, and in 2023, a judge in New York ruled that the UK case may take priority.
In the high court case in London, Sony sought a summary judgment to dismiss the claims from Mitchell and Redding’s estates. The judge rejected this request, supporting Sony’s appeal.
In its appeal, Sony argued that under UK copyright law, the initial agreements with Mitchell and Redding remain valid. The company also claimed that any claims related to partnership assets must be made within six years of the partnership’s dissolution, which would be no later than 1975.
The Court of Appeal dismissed these arguments, stating that Sony’s interpretation did not consider that rights to new technologies can automatically transfer under British copyright law.
The court also rejected Sony’s assertion that it was too late to file a lawsuit regarding partnership assets, as the matter pertains to copyright violations rather than group assets.
While the trial is set to begin in December, Billboard noted that Sony may choose to appeal the latest court decision to the UK Supreme Court.
MBW reached out to Sony Music for comments.
UK court rejects Sony’s bid to throw out case over ownership of Jimi Hendrix’s music
