This is a list about MJ related lawsuits. I added short summary of case description and latest developments in each case for ease of following. I will be updating this list every few months.
Previous updates
November 2014 Update : http://dailymichael.com/news/286-mj-related-lawsuit-updates-november-2014
Katherine Jackson v. AEG (Link)
Description:Katherine Jackson is appealing the verdict in the civil wrongful death case against AEG.
Latest developments: Oral arguments held on January 22nd. On January 30th Court of Appeals denied Katherine Jackson's request for a new trial. On February 17th Katherine Jackon filed a rehearing petition. On February 27th, Court of Appeals have denied the rehearing petition. Supreme Court is the next possible step.
MJ Estate v. IRS (Link)
Description:This lawsuit is about the estate tax dispute. IRS is demanding $731 Million in estate tax. MJ Estate challenged IRS by filing a lawsuit.
Latest developments: IRS claimed Estate did not deny some allegations against them and IRS tried to get those "undenied allegations" admitted. Estate filed an objection and Tax Court denied IRS's request. Parties are still in settlement talks. Next status report is due March 2015.
Noval Williams Films v. MJ Estate (Link)
Description: This is a dispute about “Last Photo Shoot” documentary. The documentary uses footage from two photo shoots from 2007. It also includes some photos. Estate believes some content are owned by MJ and MJ didn’t give consent for release of the footage. Noval Williams is seeking a declaratory relief that they aren’t infringing copyrights.
Latest developments:Case has been filed in New York and Estate has filed a motion to dismiss the case or in alternative move it to California. Estate also filed a motion to disqualify Noval Williams Films attorney Markovich who also happens to be a producer of the movie as well as an owner and manager at Noval Williams Films. Parties are still waiting for the court's ruling.
Optimum Productions (MJ Estate) v. Premiere Props and Calson Ventures LLC
Description:Premiere Props auctioned 1984 Victory tour photos. Estate filed a lawsuit claiming Michael Jackson hired the photographers for the tour and MJ owned rights to the photos.
Latest developments: Through discovery Estate learned Calson Ventures LLC / Bruce Hutchison is the consignor of the photographs. Estate has tried to serve Calson Ventures but they weren't able to find an address for them even after hiring a private investigator. Court allowed Estate to serve Calson Ventures LLC through California Secretary of State. Calson Ventures LLC has not filed a reply to the complaint. Estate was granted default order against Calson Ventures LLC. Estate recently has filed a motion asking a declaratory relief and permanent injunction against Calson Ventures. If granted it will be established that Estate owns the copyrights of the photographs. Scheduling conference for Premiere Props is set for end of March.
Wade Robson v. MJ Estate and Wade Robson v. Doe 1 / MJ Companies (Link)
Description:Robson has made a childhood sexual abuse claims against MJ Estate (in probate court) and Doe1/ MJ Companies (in civil court).
Latest developments: In civil court Robson has been given the chance to amend his complaint and he served his amended complaint on December 16th. There has been two extension stipulations between the parties. Estate's response is due March 10, 2015.
James Safechuck v. MJ Estate
Description:Safechuck have filed a late claim against MJ Estate claiming childhood sexual abuse.
Latest developments:In probate court Safechuck has been given a chance to amend his complaint. Parties agreed to a 30 day extension.
Quincy Jones v. MJ Estate / Sony (Link)
Description:Quincy Jones has filed a $10 Million lawsuit for breach of contract and unpaid royalties .
Latest developments:Parties had disagreements about protective order as well as the interrogatory questions. Both parties complain that other party is not responding to discovery requests. Hearings are ongoing to resolve discovery disagreements. Next hearing is on March 5th. Trial has been delayed to October 2015.
MJ Estate v. Tohme & Tohme v. MJ Estate (Link)
Description: Tohme filed a complaint against MJ Estate asking for fees he’s owed. These were 10% from Neverland refinancing, 10% from any future transaction about Neverland, 15% of income from services he provided (plus interest when applicable). Estate had also filed a complaint against Tohme asking for accounting all actions and transactions done by Tohme, return of any money and property (of Michael) Tohme has and cancellation of the three agreements Michael had with Tohme.
Latest developments:In Tohme's complain against Estate : Estate’s petition with Labor Commissioner based on California’s Talent Agency Act to cancel three agreements MJ had with Tohme was heard in 2013. Parties are still waiting for the decision of Labor Commissioner. Tohme's request to put Neverland finder’s fee agreement issue on calendar is granted. The next hearing about Neverland Finder's Fee is on April 27th. Judge also set a tentative trial date as May 2016 but this date can change based on the timing of Labor Commissioner decision. In Estate's complaint against Tohme: Estate withdrew their 9630 motion (asking Judge to allow Branca to act alone in Estate's complaint against Tohme)
Hologram USA v. MJ Estate and Hologram USA v. Cirque du Soleil (Link)
Description:Hologram USA filed lawsuits against MJ Estate (for Billboard awards show MJ Hologram) and Cirque du Soleil (for MJ hologram at MJ One) for infringing patented hologram technology.
Latest developments: Hologram USA has asked to amend their complaint by adding another trademark infringement. Their request was granted and an amended complaint was filed in February 2015.
Broderick Morris / Quadree El-Amin/ Raymone Bain/ Adean King v. MJ Estate
Description:Parties claim they helped MJ to revive his career after 2005 and in return were given shares from “Michael Jackson Company”. Estate claims MJ was the sole owner of “Michael Jackson Company”.
Latest developments: Hearings are ongoing. Next status conference is at July 2015.
MJ Fan v. MJ Estate / Sony / Cascio / Porte (Link)
Description: A MJ fan has sued MJ Estate, Sony Music, Eddie Cascio and James Porte for 3 songs on “Michael” album.
Latest developments: Parties agreed on a protective order which means majority of the discovery would be confidential. A status report was filed on February 2015. Second status hearing which was set for February 2015 is delayed to April 2015.
Sidney Earl Swanson v. MJJ Productions / Sony / Rooney / Timbaland (Link)
Description:Swanson has sued MJJ Productions, Sony Music, Cory Rooney and Timbaland claiming 2014 version of “Chicago” infringes his song “Come Home on the Move”
Latest developments:None.