Hendrix vodka sparks lawsuit
From the Associated Press
Jimi Hendrix’s family has filed a federal lawsuit in Seattle over the use of the guitar legend’s name to market a brand of vodka.
The family claims that companies owned by Seattle businessman Craig Dieffenbach used trademarked material to market Hendrix Electric Vodka and other products.
Janie Hendrix, Hendrix’s adopted sister and chief executive of Experience Hendrix, the family’s company, said the promotional campaign was a “sick joke” because Hendrix’s death in 1970 was tied to alcohol consumption.
Dieffenbach said the lawsuit has no legal basis because a 2005 federal court ruled that Experience Hendrix does not own the rights to Jimi Hendrix’s name and image -- just his music.