*Sad news to report about George Clinton.
Would you believe the funkmeister is being forced to give up the funk. Literally
Clinton’s ex-lawyers have forced the music legend to hand over four classic recordings to pay off the million bucks he owes the law firm , reports TMZ.
According to court docs, Hendricks & Lewis won a $1.5 million judgment against Clinton back in 2010, but was only able to collect $340,000 — so a Federal Judge just hit GC where it hurts … his music.
In the docs, the judge grants H&L the copyrights for the following Funkadelic jams:
- “Hardcore Jollies”
- “The Electric Spanking of War Babies”
- “Uncle Jam Wants You”
- “One Nation Under A Groove”
According to the ruling, H&L can sell or use the music however it wants — with all money going toward paying back the original judgment.
Once that’s paid off, the copyrights go back to Clinton … who has filed a motion to reverse the decision. No ruling on that yet.
When he was on crack, he sold most of his music rights for a mere $100K…SMH…the catalog is said to be worth millions. His old ass still tours and while he just sits in a chair and wave the PFunk sign, his concerts be off da chain…my husband and I went to see him the last time he was in San Diego and it really a good show…
I have all those cd’s. Th credits have multiple songwriters on all those songs. What I don’t understand is why didn’t anyone else put up a fight and tell George no. I know if I was co-writer on these songs, there is no way I would give up my share for that amount. Even back then they should have known that those songs we’re valuable. I wouldn’t let him just sell my hard work for nothing. I know 100k is a lot of money, but they had to know the songs we’re worth more than that even back then. I hate o say this but George has been fighting about the rights to those songs for a long time. At his age I hope this dosent end tragically.
For Immediate Release.
January 8, 2013 —-. In a brief filed before the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit yesterday, attorneys for Rock and Roll legend George Clinton have made the latest move in the on- going legal battle with the law firm Hendricks and Lewis. Clinton is asking the court to review the decision of the lower courts which granted H&L the rights to four of Clinton’s most popular recordings and dismissed Clinton’s claim of malpractice.
The latest move is Clinton’s attempt to seek justice and counteract a series of rulings that Seattle based Hendricks and Lewis has been able to “obtain” through local courts. These rulings include one which prohibited Clinton from pursuing a malpractice claim Clinton brought against the firm and attorney O. Yale Lewis in particular. That claim stemmed from Lewis’ failure to meet a crucial deadline which greatly impaired Clinton’s case against music giant UMG.
Lewis was Clinton’s attorney on a number of cases from 2005 – 2008. During which period Clinton paid Lewis nearly $2 million but Lewis contends that Clinton still owes him $1.6 million. Lewis has a history of similar conflict with celebrity clients, having been sued by Courtney Love Cobain and The Jimi Hendrix estate over improprieties concerning billing and/or representation.
Clinton was actually prevailing over Lewis in California courts in this dispute when Lewis filled a similar case in his home state of Washington. While the case was still under consideration in Los Angeles the proceedings in Seattle somehow went faster and a judgment was issued favoring Lewis. Clinton’s attorneys then sought to have the case reheard but were denied. Clinton is appealing the decision.
One thing is certain: Clinton has created some of the most valuable musical compositions and recordings in the history of music, judging by all of the ex-managers, agents, publishers, and lawyers who are profiting – or hope to profit- from the revenue Clinton’s music has generated.
http://www.flashlight2013.com