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CartGeorge Clinton to Surrender Copyrights to Four Songs to Pay Debts
Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:59:14
George Clinton, a pioneer of the funk movement, must surrender the copyrights to four of his classic tracks so that he can pay off debts to his former lawyers.
Seattle law firm Hendricks & Lewis, which worked for Clinton between 2005 and 2008, won a $1.5 million judgment against him in 2010. The firm claimed he failed to pay the company its full fees.
Clinton has only paid off $340,000 of his outstanding debts, which prompted a federal judge to order that copyrights to four of Clinton’s songs be handed to the law firm in lieu of payment.
Hendricks & Lewis now owns the copyrights to "Hardcore Jollies," "The Electric Spanking of War Babies," "Uncle Jam Wants You" and "One Nation Under a Groove," with proceeds going toward paying back the original judgment.
Once the debts are satisfied, the ownership of the copyrights will revert back to Clinton. For his part, Clinton filed a motion to reverse this decision.
What's your take on this case/situation? It sucks for the funk legend, don't ya think?
—Maggie Pannacione
01.09.13
