Looking to put Bob Marley in the ring with the likes of "Laffy Taffy," Universal Music Group and Verizon Wireless inked a deal this week to give the wireless giant full access to the Marley catalog.

Bob Marley's Legend.

But according to the Marley family, the corporate giants forgot to dot their I's and cross their T's by getting permission to sign the deal.

Fifty Six Hope Road Music Limited, the company owned by Marley's family, said today that it intends to file a lawsuit against Universal and Verizon, saying the companies did not get permission to use Bob Marley's name, likeness, and image to promote their product.

"This agreement was not in accordance with Marley's longstanding contract with Universal Music Group and subsequently a lawsuit will be filed," the firm said in a statement.

UMG rejected the Marley family's claims.

"UMG has not received any suit from the Marley Estate," the company said in a statement. "Moreover, claims made in a press release issued today by Palm Pictures are meritless. Specifically, we are offering Bob Marley ringtones through Verizon in accordance with the terms of a long-standing contract between Bob Marley and UMG."

The deal was said to allow Verizon Wireless customers to personalize their phones with Marley ringtones, including those from Marley's top-selling 1984 greatest hits collection, Legend.

In June, Universal said it was marking the 30th anniversary of Marley's Exodus album by releasing a limited edition reusable 256MB USB stick, which also includes three videos of Marley performances from London's Rainbow Theatre in June 1977, as well as desktop wallpaper.