The family of Jimi Hendrix is suing a music company over the rights to recordings the rock guitarist made before he became famous. Experience Hendrix, the family firm that controls the rights to all Hendrix's work except some early recordings, is suing PPX Enterprises over recordings Hendrix made with a group called Curtis Knight and the Squires in PPX's New York studios. There was no comment from either party yesterday (May 9).

In the action, set forth at the High Court in London on Wednesday, Experience Hendrix claims that PPX breached a 1973 agreement with the English administrator of Hendrix's estate. Experience Hendrix says PPX has failed to pay royalties on the works and has authorized the release of records without licenses, in violation of the 1973 agreement.

The U.S.-based company has asked Justice Roger Buckley to grant an injunction preventing further releases of recordings featuring Hendrix, apart from 33 master tapes which it agrees PPX is entitled to. Experience Hendrix also wants PPX to hand over disputed master tapes and provide an account of royalties it owes.

PPX argues that it has an oral agreement with Experience Hendrix that it is entitled to every master tape previously released or licensed by the recording company.

The hearing, which continues today, is expected to last eight days.


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