Leon Hendrix’s Business Partner Seeks Rehearing Over Jimi Hendrix Publicity Rights

SEATTLE - April 8, 2014 - PRLog -- Leon Hendrix’s Business Partner Seeks Rehearing Over Jimi Hendrix Publicity Rights

MPAA and Getty Images file Amicus Briefs in Support and Court Requests Response from Opposition

Seattle, WA (April 7, 2014). Andrew Pitsicalis, business partner of Jimi Hendrix’s Brother Leon, has sought a rehearing of the recent ruling reversing the unconstitutionality of the Washington State Publicity Rights Act as to goods sold solely in Washington. He has been joined the Motion Picture Association of America and Getty Images, who filed Amicus Briefs in support. On April 4, 2014 the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit asked for a response from the opposition to the rehearing request En Banc, signaling the willingness of the entire Court to further review the issue.

“I am thankful the entire Court is going to give the issue of Jimi Hendrix Publicity Rights in our home state another look, and for the support of the Motion Picture Association of America and Getty Images in our position” declared Leon Hendrix. “It just wouldn’t be right for my adopted stepsister, Janie, and her companies Experience and Authentic Hendrix to be the sole controllers of Jimi’s image inside Washington State” he continued.

“The ruling has not really affected Rockin Artwork, and its ability to deal in images and likenesses of Jimi Hendrix nationally, as well as his original artwork. Nor does it change our ability to use Jimi’s name or song titles in association with those works” said Andrew Pitsicalis. “But the idea that Washington can have a different set of rules than the rest of the nation, with no concern for the law of New York where Jimi lived when he died, isn’t the right outcome in our opinion so we asked the Court to reconsider” he continued. “So we are very glad to see the all the Judges of the Ninth Circuit taking a second look at this and hope the will see the wisdom in Judge Zilly’s original ruling in the District Court finding the Washington Act unconstitutional.”

Leon Hendrix is a board member and owner of Rockin Artwork, and Andrew Pitsicalis is its CEO. Rockin Artwork offers a host of Jimi Hendrix related products, all created with Leon’s input and oversight in order to offer an alternative to the Estate’s products.

Company Information: Hendrix Licensing was formed in early 2008 with the intentions of releasing Jimi Hendrix posters, fine art and apparel with Leon Hendrix’s input. Leon is Jimi’s brother. To avoid any further legal issues with Janie Hendrix, owner of Experience Hendrix and Authentic Hendrix in Seattle, Hendrix Licensing reformed as Rockin Artwork with the same goal in mind.

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Contact: Andrew Pitsicalis

Company:  Rockin Artwork, LLC.

Telephone: 1-866-954-5464

Fax: 1-866-954-5464

Email:  info@rockinartwork.com

Website:  http://www.rockinartwork.com

www.facebook.com/leonhendrixmusic1

Summary: After reversing an earlier ruling that the Washington State Publicity Rights Act was Unconstitutional and placing some limits on the use of Jimi Hendrix’s image within Washington State, Jimi Hendrix’s Brother Leon has asked the 9^th circuit to reconsider. The MPAA and Getty Images have filed in support of the rehearing and the court has taken the preliminary step of asking for a response from the opposition. This was done En Banc meaning all the Judges of the Ninth Circuit are looking at the issue, not just the three who originally did.