If you fancy owning a Public Enemy album, then you should get along to this auction in New York on 26 Oct. When I say 'own' a Public Enemy album I don't just mean add one of their CDs to your record collection (for which a trip to New York might seem a bit excessive), I mean own the full rights to a recording of their music - a recording with which you can do whatever you wish.
The recording in question is of a live show by the hip hop legends recorded in Helsinki in 1999. It ended up belonging to a company called PPX Enterprises as part of a 1999 court settlement between them and Chuck D and Public Enemy producer Hank Shocklee. Allhiphop.com quote a spokeswoman for IP asset firm Ocean Tomo, who are managing the auction, and who explains: "It's not actually Chuck D that's selling the album. PPX owns the rights, title and interest, and ownership in this album. Chuck D does not own this album. The person who wins the bid, or who buys the album will receive the digital master recording, the original artwork, and all associated rights".
The recording features live performances of many classic Public Enemy tracks including 'Fight the Power' and 'Bring the Noise'. It will be sold at an auction which will also include the sale of a load of Jimi Hendrix assets - PPX having somewhat controversial ownership of various Hendrix recordings which stemmed from a sometimes disputed early career agreement between the legendary guitarist and PPX's Ed Chalpin.