Grateful Dead lawyer Hal Kant dies

October 22, 2008 Hal Kant, principal lawyer and general counsel for the Grateful Dead for more than 35 years who brought the band millions of dollars in revenue, died Oct. 19 in Reno, Nev., after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Kant is credited with preserving the Dead's enduring legacy and their valuable intellectual property, including ownership of their music masters and publishing rights (a rare feat in the early days of rock 'n' roll). Lead singer Jerry Garcia has been dead since 1995, yet the band continues to rake in millions of dollars a year through live recordings, merchandise, etc.

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