It appears that the two heirs to the Ramones have reached a solution to the legal battle over the use of the group's brand.
Joey and Johnny Ramone passed away in 2001 and 2004, respectively, both from cancer. According to Billboard , after a year of dispute, Joey's brother, Mitchel Hyman , and Johnny's widow, Linda Cummings-Ramone , reached an agreement last Monday, the 2nd.
Each of them owns 50% of Ramone Production Inc., the company that owns the Ramones brand and all its licensed products. Cummings-Ramone is also the co-chairman and director of the company.
The feud began when Hyman sued Linda after she legally changed her name to Ramone in 2014. Hyman claimed she was using the name "improperly and without authorization." He also wanted her to stop calling his Los Angeles home Ramones Ranch, implying to fans that it was the band's official residence.
Hyman resorted to the law to prohibit Linda from using the Ramone name in any way, and she responded by claiming that he was working against the company's interests. According to Bob Donnelly, the mediator in the case, the dispute would "ruin the Ramones' reputation" if it continued.
The solution found was to prohibit Linda from using the name Ramones Ranch without Hyman's approval, but she can use the name Johnny Ramone Ranch or Linda Ramone Ranch. She can also use the surname Ramone to present her annual event in honor of Johnny.
The pair will also need to discuss any matters related to the company, honoring the contract that names them both as owners of Ramone Production Inc.
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