Ray Charles Foundation v. Robinson et al.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed a
district court's dismissal of a suit brought by the sole
beneficiary of the Ray Charles estate, concluding that the Ray
Charles Foundation had standing to challenge Charles's heirs in
their attempt to reclaim several copyrights to the late
singer's works because the Foundation's right to royalties
from such works would be affected. Ray Charles Foundation v.
Robinson et al., Case No. 13-55421 (9th Cir. July 31, 2015)
(Christen, J.).
The Ray Charles Foundation is the sole beneficiary of the Ray
Charles estate. The Foundation relies on royalty income from
Charles's copyrights to fulfill its mission. In March 2010,
seven of Charles's children filed notices under §§
203 and 304(c) of the Copyright Act to terminate grants of
copyright Charles authorized during his career. If effected, the
termination of such grants would revert, to Charles's heirs,
the copyrights in 51
