SEATTLE, March 12, 2007 - Since 1995, Al Hendrix, the sole heir of Jimi Hendrix, and his close family members and their companies have been singularly committed to preserving Jimi Hendrix's musical, cultural and artistic legacy. Al Hendrix was concerned that Leon Hendrix did not share that commitment and; therefore, did not want Leon to participate in the family companies spearheading that effort.

Al Hendrix died in 2002 and left the ownership and management of the Jimi Hendrix legacy in the hands of selected members of his family, but not Leon Hendrix. In an effort to secure an interest in the legacy, Craig Dieffenbach supported Leon Hendrix's challenge to Al Hendrix's estate plan. In 2004, the court rejected that challenge, concluding that the ownership and management of the Jimi Hendrix legacy shall remain in the hands of those family members Al Hendrix had selected. Having failed in court, in 2006, Craig Deiffenbach, Leon Hendrix and their companies began violating the Hendrix family trademarks in a tasteless campaign to sell vodka and other merchandise.

Experience Hendrix owns numerous trademarks, many of which it has registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Hendrix family companies have used the trademarks of Jimi Hendrix's name, his image, his signature and other logos in careful marketing of Jimi's music, recordings, artistic properties and related merchandise throughout the world. Last week, Experience Hendrix, LLC filed a lawsuit against Dieffenbach and his companies to enforce these trademark rights, which are not the same as the "personality rights" addressed in a 2005 court decision, which is still awaiting appellate court review.

Noting that the Hendrix family company trademarks continue to be fully protected by federal law, Bob Hendrix, Vice President of Experience Hendrix, observed: "Al Hendrix and other Hendrix family managers he appointed over the years have worked hard to preserve and protect the legacy of Jimi Hendrix. Since Al's death in 2002, we have done our utmost to continue on the path he envisioned. There is no question that he would be saddened by this. Our trademarks are protected by federal law. The unauthorized use of those marks by this vodka enterprise underscores the reason why Al didn't want Leon Hendrix and his associates involved in the Hendrix family companies."

About Experience Hendrix: Experience Hendrix, LLC is the family owned company entrusted with preserving and protecting the legacy of Jimi Hendrix. The core of its operations concern Jimi Hendrix's music, name, and likeness.

Additional Links:
March 6, 2007 -- Experience Hendrix Sues Vodka Seller

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