Bob Marley Police and Thieves

The family of Bob Marley is starting to crack down on profiteers using his image for financial gain.  Their take of the estimated $600 million made each year off Marley’s likeness is only $4 million according to Forbes magazine.  So they’ve hired Toronto-based Hilco Consumer Capital to protect their rights to the brand.  Hilco will police unauthorized uses of Marley’s image while aiming to grow the brand to a $1 billion business.

Hilco’s president and CEO, James Salter, announced, “The consumer demand for products that represent and capture what Bob Marley stood for has only grown over time.”  Items that represent what Marley stood for apparently include snowboards, luggage and restaurants.  They’re all part of the $1 billion plan.  A plan that makes no mention of proceeds going anywhere but to Marley’s heirs and Hilco.