Jimi Hendrix’s Brother, Niece Found in Contempt of Court for Violating Trademarks - Billboard

Jimi Hendrix’s brother Leon Hendrix and niece Tina Hendrix are in contempt of court for violating a permanent injunction against infringing on the iconic guitarist's protected trademarks, according to a ruling Monday from U.S.

Engelmayer ordered Leon Hendrix and his daughter Tina Hendrix, along with their tuition-free Hendrix Music Academy, to recall and destroy all apparel and merchandise bearing any Jimi Hendrix name, to change the name of the school to make it clear it is not affiliated with Jimi Hendrix and to “cease and desist” infringing on the late rocker's trademark.

The contempt ruling against Leon and Tina Hendrix follows a lengthy court battle that began in 2017 when Experience Hendrix LLC -- the sole owner of the late rocker's musical compositions, sound recordings, copyrights and trademarks -- and Authentic Hendrix LLC, the licensing arm for Hendrix, filed an infringement case.

Experience and Authentic Hendrix sued Leon Hendrix and a business associate for trademark infringement, deceptive acts and false advertising, among other claims.

2019, the court entered a permanent injunction against Leon Hendrix and his corporate entities, finding they had worked to create “the illusion of an empire of ‘authentic’ Jimi Hendrix goods which include[d] cannabis, edibles, food, wine, alcohol, ‘medicines,’ and electronic products,” according to court papers.

The following July, the court formally adopted the injunction in favor of Experience Hendrix, LLC and Authentic Hendrix, LLC, and against “Leon Hendrix, his corporate entities,.

But just three months later, Experience and Authentic Hendrix told the court that Leon and Tina Hendrix were violating the court’s permanent injunction order.

“Experience Hendrix only seeks to disenfranchise Jimi Hendrix’s next of kin from participating in his legacy at all costs, for no other purpose than corporate greed and to spread public misinformation that only they are Jimi’s family [when] in reality they are not,” continues Tina Hendrix.

In addition, the court said that Leon and Tina Hendrix hosted and sponsored a benefit to raise money for their non-profit “Jimi Hendrix Music” and sold an accompanying Jimi Hendrix T-shirt on their website featuring an image of Hendrix on the front and a Hendrix quote, followed by a protected Jimi Hendrix signature on the back.

Engelmayer also ordered Leon to pay opposing counsel’s attorney fees and said if he and Tina Hendrix failed to comply there could also be a further fine imposed, stating that Leon "carries the keys of his prison in his own pocket.”.