EMI is set to bring the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words to music. Tuesday, the music publisher finalized a deal with Dr. King’s estate to gain the use of King’s name, image, likeness, recorded voice, both in recordings and music and in online and digital media.  According to Ballerstatus, the deal marks the first time the company has taken on the licensing of a non-music based intellectual property catalog.

“Assuring that Dr. King’s words are accorded the same protection and same right for compensation as other copyrights works is a profound responsibility,” EMI Chairman and Chief Executive Roger Faxon said in a statement, “and we are proud of the confidence that the Estate has placed in us to fulfill that responsibility.”

Unfortunately the excitement surrounding the curious announcement does not seem to shared by King’s entire family.  Although a statement issued by the estate says EMI was best positioned to “increase The King Estate’s ability to preserve, perpetuate and protect the great legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.” it appears that Martin Luther King III, Dr. King’s most recognizable heir apparently didn’t know anything about it.

According to the AP via B.S., daughter, Bernice and Martin Luther King III have been entrenched in a legal battle with their brother, Dexter, over their parents’ estates. Bernice and King III are hoping to have the estate books unsealed and gain control of several of their mother’s personal items and interest in a $1.4 million book deal.

A strong business move marred by family infighting… a very sad, sad story.