Eyebrows were raised last February when the Bob Marley estate inked a deal with Hilco Consumer Capital to market the reggae icon's name and image. Hilco's portfoliio includes The Sharper Image, Linens-n-Things and Polaroid, all of whom have filed for bankruptcy.

Hilco paid $20 million for 50% interest in House of Marley LLC, They're expected to release new products in 2010, in time for Marley’s 65th anniversary (Feb. 6). However, the dizzying laundry list of product lines appears excessive. The Hilco website explains the plan: “Licensed product categories that will be developed include Accessories, Apparel, Footwear, Food & Beverages, Collectibles, Luggage, Musical Instruments, Promotions/Entertainment, Stationery & Paper Goods, Hospitality (including restaurants, cafés, hotels and resorts/spas), as well as Video Games and Computer Products.”

Does this mean we’ll be able to have the digitized image of Bob Marley perform Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love A Bad Name” on Guitar Hero 5 like the estate of Kurt Cobain allowed? Or will the rights to Marley's name and image be used with greater discretion and protection for the purpose of continuing the unifying message of "One Love" throughout the world?

Prior to the Hilco deal, the Marley estate expanded into the coffee business with its line of organic Marley Coffee brands that includes Jammin' Java, Simmer Down Decaf and Lively Up Esperesso.

Here are a few more Bob Marley products and companies I'd like to see:

• Marley Compassionate Care Centers
• Rock Band: Bob Marley (if you’ve played The Beatles game, you know how much fun it could be)
• A line of fair-trade and organic Ital food products, like Marley Coffee
• Marley hemp rolling papers
• Marley soccer balls
• House of Marley music venue and restaurant chain
• Marley Ganja brand



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