Amidst a whirlwind of unheralded buy-outs and mergers in the retail world, one firm appears to have finally snatched up an asset with actual value. In a deal between the Marley family in NYC and Hilco Consumer Capital, a private equity group, the Bob Marley brand (we're using the term loosely) is about to achieve a new level of exploitation. The firm will be licensing the reggae legend's image and trademarks to a range of products from apparel to videogames.

Hilco, which recently purchased Linens 'n Things, Ellen Tracy, and The Sharper Image, paid $20 million to launch a joint venture with the family which will most likely result in a handy Bob Marley nose hair trimmer, bedspread, and spice rack.

Look, we understand that the Marley family needs to make some money during this recession, but when we picture a marketing firm that owns both the Bob Marley name and The Sharper Image, we can only imagine the worst.

According to Hilco, you can expect to see Marley's face plastered on shoes, luggage, musical instruments, stationary, and even food (we're envisioning Bob Marley brownies). Oh yeah, expect a glut of new Bob Marley clothing all over the local mall. As if there wasn't enough already.

[via Jezebel]