Photo Credit: Alexander Tolstykh/ ShutterstockThe Michael Jackson Estate has embarked on a legal threat concerning a rare recording release, while both Sean “Diddy” Combs and a former Recording Academy executive face sexual assault lawsuits amid the ongoing #MeToo movement in the music industry.
The legal tussle began when anotherblock, a Swedish company, announced plans to digitally release a 1967 Jackson 5 recording. This prompted swift action from attorneys representing Michael Jackson’s estate, who expressed deep concern about the impending release. The estate’s legal team contends that the release infringes upon the estate’s trademark and likeness rights and suggests it could warrant litigation.
The crux of the estate’s contention lies in the claim that the recording, touted as Jackson’s inaugural studio performance, violates intellectual property rights owned by the estate. Jonathan Steinsapir, representing the estate, outlined in a letter several issues that might expose the company to legal liability. These concerns primarily revolve around the use of Jackson’s name, image, and likeness in the marketing and release of the track, deeming it in violation of the estate’s rights.
Moreover, the estate strongly questions the authenticity of claims surrounding this recording’s historical significance as Jackson’s first studio performance. The estate’s legal representatives argue that the track’s authenticity as the initial studio recording by Jackson remains unsubstantiated and might potentially mislead the public.
The estate’s attorneys reiterated Jackson’s meticulous approach to releasing music, emphasizing their doubt that Jackson would have endorsed the release of these recordings to the public. The legal notice concludes by highlighting the estate’s reservation of all rights and remedies, including seeking financial damages and halting further sales via an injunction if necessary. This legal saga underscores the complexities of intellectual property and legacy protection, particularly in the realm of music history and rare recordings.
