Twelve years on from Michael Jackson's release of "You are not alone", a Brussels court has ruled that the song is mainly similar to a song written by Belgian twins the Van Passels two years earlier in 1993.
All the authorial rights of the Jackson hit, written by Robert Kelly, are switched to the brothers according to the court ruling.
However, the judgement is only applicable in Belgium and acquiring the royalties will be an uphill battle (most especially as it has taken the Van Passels 12 years to get this far).
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Song Leaked?
Mamacita a new song allegedly by Michael Jackson has reportedly been leaked on Pittsburgh's 96.1 KISS FM, a US radio station.
However, as with all matters relating to Jackson, nothing is ever quite as simple as it would first appear. Jackson's publicist, Raymone Bain, has denied that the track is Jackson's.
Quote:
"Michael Jackson has not released any new material. This appears to be a smooth criminal pulling a fast one!
However, if someone has leaked material illegally, my client's legal team will pursue the matter."
Good PR though!
However, as with all matters relating to Jackson, nothing is ever quite as simple as it would first appear. Jackson's publicist, Raymone Bain, has denied that the track is Jackson's.
Quote:
"Michael Jackson has not released any new material. This appears to be a smooth criminal pulling a fast one!
However, if someone has leaked material illegally, my client's legal team will pursue the matter."
Good PR though!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Jackson's Properties Liened
F. Marc Schaffel, Michael Jackson's former business partner, has succeeded in placing a lien on Jackson's two properties at Neverland and his parents' home in Hayvenhurst Avenue in Encino.
The liens will remain in place until Jackson pays the $559K awarded by a judge in favour of Schaffel a fortnight ago.
In the event that Jackson is thinking of earning some money, by producing a record or appearing on stage, now might be a good time to start.
The liens will remain in place until Jackson pays the $559K awarded by a judge in favour of Schaffel a fortnight ago.
In the event that Jackson is thinking of earning some money, by producing a record or appearing on stage, now might be a good time to start.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Suit Stopped
A lawsuit filed by the family of Manuela Gomez Ruiz, who died at a hospital soon after she was moved to make room for Michael Jackson, has been stopped by Judge Rodney Melville.
The Ruiz family had sued Jackson and Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria, claiming that she was kept from critical care after she had a heart attack on the same day Jackson was brought in with flu-like symptoms during his 2005 child-molestation trial.
Judge Melville on Tuesday allowed challenges to the complaint filed by attorneys for Jackson and the hospital, who had argued the facts of the case didn't justify the complaint.
Melville has given the plaintiffs' attorney, James McKiernan, 30 days to redraft their complaint.
The original complaint cites the "outrageous, circus-like atmosphere they orchestrated during the last hours of Manuela Ruiz's life and its obvious emotional and mental lasting effects upon the plaintiffs."
The Ruiz family had sued Jackson and Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria, claiming that she was kept from critical care after she had a heart attack on the same day Jackson was brought in with flu-like symptoms during his 2005 child-molestation trial.
Judge Melville on Tuesday allowed challenges to the complaint filed by attorneys for Jackson and the hospital, who had argued the facts of the case didn't justify the complaint.
Melville has given the plaintiffs' attorney, James McKiernan, 30 days to redraft their complaint.
The original complaint cites the "outrageous, circus-like atmosphere they orchestrated during the last hours of Manuela Ruiz's life and its obvious emotional and mental lasting effects upon the plaintiffs."
Monday, August 20, 2007
Bain Lashes Out
Michael Jackson's spokesperson, Raymone Bain, has lashed out at Roger Friedman the internet columnist.
Bain claims that Friedman's recnet story about Jackson "homeless, wandering, carting around three school-aged kids" and alleging that Jackson had developed a friendship with "former imprisoned crack addict and Washington D.C. Mayor Marion Barry" was lies.
Bain wrote to Friedman, and the contents of the letter has needless to say entered the public domain.
Quote:
"All of this is a complete lie. You continue to write untruths which can be verified as untruths. I do not know why you do not check to determine the accuracy of your sources. And, I do not know why you have such venom for Michael Jackson.
But, let me state for the record: Michael Jackson has neither met, nor does he know former Washington, D.C. Mayor Marion S. Barry, Jr. While former Mayor Barry and I are friends, and, while we have oftentimes indicated our desire to have lunch, because of schedule conflicts, I have not seen him in at least two years.
Michael Jackson is not homeless, carting around with three school-aged kids. ... While where Mr. Jackson is currently residing is his own private business, Mr. Jackson will never be 'homeless' as long as he owns the 3,000 acre estate called Neverland Valley Ranch, which to my knowledge, and at this date, he has not sold.
Mr. Jackson has a tutor for his children who is certified and qualified. As we are in the summer months, and most children in the United States are on vacation until classes begin later in the month, the same applies to Mr. Jackson's children.
I will let Mr. Jackson's attorneys deal with other issues you have raised should they see fit."
It will be interesting to see if Jackson makes good on Bain's threat to sue.
Bain claims that Friedman's recnet story about Jackson "homeless, wandering, carting around three school-aged kids" and alleging that Jackson had developed a friendship with "former imprisoned crack addict and Washington D.C. Mayor Marion Barry" was lies.
Bain wrote to Friedman, and the contents of the letter has needless to say entered the public domain.
Quote:
"All of this is a complete lie. You continue to write untruths which can be verified as untruths. I do not know why you do not check to determine the accuracy of your sources. And, I do not know why you have such venom for Michael Jackson.
But, let me state for the record: Michael Jackson has neither met, nor does he know former Washington, D.C. Mayor Marion S. Barry, Jr. While former Mayor Barry and I are friends, and, while we have oftentimes indicated our desire to have lunch, because of schedule conflicts, I have not seen him in at least two years.
Michael Jackson is not homeless, carting around with three school-aged kids. ... While where Mr. Jackson is currently residing is his own private business, Mr. Jackson will never be 'homeless' as long as he owns the 3,000 acre estate called Neverland Valley Ranch, which to my knowledge, and at this date, he has not sold.
Mr. Jackson has a tutor for his children who is certified and qualified. As we are in the summer months, and most children in the United States are on vacation until classes begin later in the month, the same applies to Mr. Jackson's children.
I will let Mr. Jackson's attorneys deal with other issues you have raised should they see fit."
It will be interesting to see if Jackson makes good on Bain's threat to sue.
Friday, August 17, 2007
The Jackson 5
A stash of unreleased Jackson 5 recordings may be released in the near future.
Richard Altomare, the head of luggage movement company Universal Express, bought a collection of unclaimed personal belongings from a New Jersey storage warehouse and discovered a set of tapes dating back to the 1970's. These tapes contained approximately 60 unreleased songs by The Jackson 5.
Altomare states that he is currently in talks with Michael Jackson, his sister Janet, and record labels including Sony in order to get the music released.
Quote:
"I've personally talked to Michael and Janet on the phone about the tapes, and even played on a couple of songs for them.
At first there was silence on the other end of the line, but that was quickly followed by giggles as if it brought them back to the day those songs were recorded."
Quite why these tapes were laying unclaimed for 30 years, or how they got there, is still not clear
Richard Altomare, the head of luggage movement company Universal Express, bought a collection of unclaimed personal belongings from a New Jersey storage warehouse and discovered a set of tapes dating back to the 1970's. These tapes contained approximately 60 unreleased songs by The Jackson 5.
Altomare states that he is currently in talks with Michael Jackson, his sister Janet, and record labels including Sony in order to get the music released.
Quote:
"I've personally talked to Michael and Janet on the phone about the tapes, and even played on a couple of songs for them.
At first there was silence on the other end of the line, but that was quickly followed by giggles as if it brought them back to the day those songs were recorded."
Quite why these tapes were laying unclaimed for 30 years, or how they got there, is still not clear
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Nona Loses Custody Battle
Nona Paris Lola Jackson has lost her custody battle for Michael Jackson's three children.
Judge Robert A. Schnider, in Los Angeles yesterday, denied Nona's request for custody.
Nona Paris Lola Jackson, based in London, had asked for joint physical custody of Prince Michael and Paris. She also claimed to be the mother of Prince Michael II.
Judge Schnider said:
"I feel her evidence fails to establish any genetic relationship between herself and the Jackson-Rowe children."
Schnider also denied Nona's request to nullify Jackson's marriages with his former wives Deborah Rowe and Lisa Marie Presley.
Nona Jackson claimed:
"Michael and I are a sexually active couple and have been this way from the beginning."
She also claimed to have written over 3,000 songs for him.
The woman's three previous attempts to interfere in the custody battle between Rowe and Jackson were rejected by Schnider last November, in February and in May on grounds that she had failed to notify Jackson and Rowe of the hearings.
It is unclear as to whether she will give up her claim.
Judge Robert A. Schnider, in Los Angeles yesterday, denied Nona's request for custody.
Nona Paris Lola Jackson, based in London, had asked for joint physical custody of Prince Michael and Paris. She also claimed to be the mother of Prince Michael II.
Judge Schnider said:
"I feel her evidence fails to establish any genetic relationship between herself and the Jackson-Rowe children."
Schnider also denied Nona's request to nullify Jackson's marriages with his former wives Deborah Rowe and Lisa Marie Presley.
Nona Jackson claimed:
"Michael and I are a sexually active couple and have been this way from the beginning."
She also claimed to have written over 3,000 songs for him.
The woman's three previous attempts to interfere in the custody battle between Rowe and Jackson were rejected by Schnider last November, in February and in May on grounds that she had failed to notify Jackson and Rowe of the hearings.
It is unclear as to whether she will give up her claim.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Jackson Sued Again
Another day, another litigation.
Such is the daily grind for Michael Jackson, one time music superstar.
Jackson's former lawyers, Lavely & Singer, are suing him for $113,750 in unpaid legal fees.
They filed a suit in Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday. They claim that they set up a payment plan for Jackson to pay off his $180,000 debt, but that he failed to make the final payment.
Such is the daily grind for Michael Jackson, one time music superstar.
Jackson's former lawyers, Lavely & Singer, are suing him for $113,750 in unpaid legal fees.
They filed a suit in Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday. They claim that they set up a payment plan for Jackson to pay off his $180,000 debt, but that he failed to make the final payment.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Jackson To Be Sued By Prince
The words "Michael Jackson" and "sued" these days tend to be rather synonymous.
This time Jackson is being sued, as opposed to suing. His one time friend, Prince Abdullah of Bahrain, is taking Jackson to court.
Prince Abdullah took Jackson and his family in after the 2005 child molestation trial. Having looked after Jackson and entourage, the Prince wanted to start a record company with the King of Pop.
Various agreements were signed, then nothing happened. The Prince is now fed up with this inactivity and is suing Jackson to honour the agreement and to do some work, eg make a record.
The case is being brought in London.
This time Jackson is being sued, as opposed to suing. His one time friend, Prince Abdullah of Bahrain, is taking Jackson to court.
Prince Abdullah took Jackson and his family in after the 2005 child molestation trial. Having looked after Jackson and entourage, the Prince wanted to start a record company with the King of Pop.
Various agreements were signed, then nothing happened. The Prince is now fed up with this inactivity and is suing Jackson to honour the agreement and to do some work, eg make a record.
The case is being brought in London.
Monday, August 06, 2007
All You Need Is Love
Beatles fans are venting their spleens on message boards across the net, in response to a decision by Sony/ATV Music Publishing to sell the rights to use the Beatles song "All You Need is Love" to Procter and Gamble for use in an advert for nappies.
Procter & Gamble has purchased the rights to use the song from Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which owns Northern Songs, the Beatles' catalogue.
This is a joint venture with Michael Jackson, who originally bought the songs. The company does not need permission from Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr or the widows of John Lennon and George Harrison to licence a Beatles lyric.
Beatles fans are calling for a protest campaign to stop the advert.
The ad features a baby jumping on a teddy bear in a disposable nappy which offers "ultimate leak protection", while a Beatles copy band sings All You Need Is Luvs.
A storm in a teacup, as far as I can see.
Procter & Gamble has purchased the rights to use the song from Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which owns Northern Songs, the Beatles' catalogue.
This is a joint venture with Michael Jackson, who originally bought the songs. The company does not need permission from Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr or the widows of John Lennon and George Harrison to licence a Beatles lyric.
Beatles fans are calling for a protest campaign to stop the advert.
The ad features a baby jumping on a teddy bear in a disposable nappy which offers "ultimate leak protection", while a Beatles copy band sings All You Need Is Luvs.
A storm in a teacup, as far as I can see.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Arvizo Charge Reduced
The charge of felony welfare fraud against Janet Arvizo, the mother of the boy who accused Michael Jackson of sexual abuse, was reduced on Wednesday to a misdemeanor and is eventually expected to be expunged.
Arvizo pleaded no contest (guilty), last November, to receiving fraudulent welfare payments.
Her lawyer, Rayford Fountain, said that she had paid over $8,600 in restitution and completed more than 150 hours of community service.
Fountain asked that she be placed on informal probation for 30 days to allow her to pay a court fine, and said he would then ask for the charge to be dismissed and expunged.
Arvizo pleaded no contest (guilty), last November, to receiving fraudulent welfare payments.
Her lawyer, Rayford Fountain, said that she had paid over $8,600 in restitution and completed more than 150 hours of community service.
Fountain asked that she be placed on informal probation for 30 days to allow her to pay a court fine, and said he would then ask for the charge to be dismissed and expunged.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Jackson In Washington
Michael Jackson was in Washington last week, at the offices of Venable LLP, to give a deposition in the $30M lawsuit brought by his former manager, Dieter Wiesner.
The outcome of the deposition is unclear.
The outcome of the deposition is unclear.
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