Ray Charles - Ray Charles' Heirs Win Copyright Ownership Of Dad's Works

Seven of the Hit the Road Jack's relatives filed a motion against Warner/Chappell Music chiefs to reclaim ownership of some of their dad's work in 2010, but executives behind the hitmaker's organisation, the Ray Charles Foundation, challenged his offspring's efforts since they too were receiving royalties from the publishing deal.

And now U.S. District Judge Audrey Collins has dismissed the charity's authority to intervene, granting Charles' heirs the legal right to 60 of his best-known compositions, according to trade publication Variety.

She also ordered bosses of the soul star's namesake foundation to cover the cost of the defendant's court fees.