Marley's heirs have hired Toronto-based Hilco Consumer Capital to protect brand rights

The family of reggae legend Bob Marley is putting their collective foot down when it comes to managing the singer's name, sound and likeness, which generate an estimated $600 million a year in sales of unlicensed merchandise, according to the AP.

Marley's heirs have hired Toronto-based Hilco Consumer Capital to protect their rights to the brand, reports the Associated Press. Hilco CEO Jamie Salter believes Marley products could be a $1 billion business in a few years.

"The family managed all the rights before Hilco was brought on board," said Marley's fourth son, Rohan. "We didn't have a real good grasp on the international scope prior to Hilco, nor the proper management."

Rather than focusing on street vendors, who hawk everything from Bob Marley T-shirts to beach towels, the partnership is creating a new line of products dubbed "House of Marley" and will police the trademark vigilantly.

Planned merchandise featuring the musician's image, name or message include backpacks, stationery, headphones, musical instruments, restaurants, and even snowboards. Items are expected to hit the market in mid-2010.
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Eurweb.com