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.

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:  After participating in settlement talks for over a year and filing three stipulation of settled issues, the case is put on the calendar of the tax court. Trial is scheduled for February 2017. Most of 2016 will be spent with discovery and trial preperation.

 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 is ongoing at New York court. Parties were engaging in settlement talks for several months, however no outcome for the settlement talks has been reported. Recently parties are experiencing a discovery dispute. Noval Williams have turned over some emails redacted and Estate is asking for unredacted versions. Both sides have filed motions and waiting for the judge to rule. 

SONY CORP. OF AMERICA ("SCA") has signed a binding memorandum of understanding ("MOU") to obtain full ownership of SONY/ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC ("SONY/ATV") by acquiring the 50% interest in SONY/ATV held by the Estate of MICHAEL JACKSON. SCA will pay the Estate $750 million, which includes a lump sum payment by SCA of approximately $733 million as well as distributions previously committed to by SONY/ATV to be paid to the Estate.  

The sale is the culmination of a process that began in SEPTEMBER 2015 when SONY exercised a right that has existed since the joint venture was formed by MICHAEL JACKSON and SONY in 1995. This right allows for one partner to purchase the other partner's interest pursuant to a procedure outlined in the SONY/ATV operating agreement.

The news of Sony purchasing Michael’s 50% share in Sony/ATV has resulted in anger, emotional outbursts and heated discussions among the MJ fans. Recently The MJCast had a Sony/ATV purchase roundtable at their 27^th podcast. The podcast started with a quite balanced discussion of all sides and all possibilities surrounding the purchase of MJ’s share. The podcast also featured an interview with Lynton Guest – the author of “The Trials of Michael Jackson”. While listening to the show, I realized Lynton Guest provided some new and interesting insights to the Sony/ATV purchase. We as fans operate on limited available information so for me any piece of new information is quite valuable to better understand the situations. Therefore with permission from The MJCast,  I prepared a transcript of a short section of the Lynton Guest interview.

The full The MJCast podcast can be listened to here :  

or can be accessed from The MJCast webite at http://www.themjcast.com/episode-027-sonyatv-purchase-roundtable/

The below transcript starts at 01:13:00 (or 73 minute) mark.

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.

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:  Parties are in settlement talks. A status report was filed in October 2015. On December 11, parties filed the third stipulation of settled issues - signaling that parties continue to settle their dispute.

 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 is ongoing at New York court. Estate filed their answer and counter claims to the complaint on September. Estate's counter claims mention 7 instances of copyright infringement of MJ photographs. Estate also stated that they believe the videographer was employed as MJ's staff and/or security detail. Discovery has started and will continue until March 2016.