It’s All Good For Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson would be smiling today … if circumstances were different, of course, because a judge just dismissed a $300 million lawsuit that had been filed against him.

A federal judge in New York just dismissed a lawsuit filed by AllGood Entertainment, claiming Michael had agreed through an agent to perform several Jackson family reunion concerts in Indiana before going on the road with any other show.

AllGood claimed … by agreeing to do the London concerts, Jackson breached his agreement with AllGood.

The federal judge ruled today … Jackson’s agent — Frank Dileo — merely struck the deal with AllGood in principle, that couldn’t become binding without the sign-offs of MJ and his brothers.  The judge also said the deal was just too sketchy to be enforceable.

The case had been partially dismissed last month.  Now it’s officially history.

Howard Weitzman, the lawyer for the Michael Jackson Estate, tells TMZ, “This case never had any merit and the claim was frivolous from day one.”

Source: TMZ

Michael Jackson Casino — Playing with Fire

Some wannabe gambling tycoons have just opened an unauthorized Michael Jackson Casino online … and TMZ has learned the real MJ Estate is ready to declare casino war in order to shut ‘em down.

The gambling site — which features everything from poker to baccarat — features MJ’s image and a message on the home page that reads, “The King of Pop is proud to bring you the most exciting Vegas style online casino betting experience on the Net!”

Problem is — the estate claims never gave the online casino the green light to use any of their trademarks … and now Howard Weitzman — the attorney for Michael Jackson’s estate — tells us he will, “take whatever legal actions are necessary to shut this operation down.”

Talk about a bad bet.

Source: TMZ

Michael Jackson Estate Threatened with Lawsuit

The co-author of a new book on Michael Jackson has threatened to sue the Michael Jackson estate for allegedly trying to discredit the book.

Howard Mann — a businessman who has made money on nude online gambling and nude wrestling — hooked up with Katherine Jackson to create a coffee table book called “Never Can Say Goodbye.“

Estate lawyer Howard Weitzman told TMZ earlier this week, Mann had no right “to exploit any estate assets” and would take “whatever action is necessary to prevent him from unlawfully profiting.”

Mann now tells TMZ, “The comments by the lawyers for the Estate of Michael Jackson are designed to create fear and ambiguity and may impede our ability to maximize the profits that Vintage Pop (the publisher) and the beneficiaries of the Estate are entitled to enjoy.  These actions are torturous interference and will NOT be accepted and will result [in] litigation to recover the damages against our company.”

Weitzman tells TMZ, “The estate will continue to protect its assets when appropriate,” adding, “If Mr. Mann or his attorney want to communicate with me, they can contact me directly.”

Source: TMZ

The lawyer for the Michael Jackson estate thinks the businessman who partnered with Katherine Jackson is hurting Michael’s children — and is threatening legal action if the dude doesn’t stop.

Howard Mann — whose business ventures include online nude gambling — got Katherine Jackson to agree to publish the book, “Never Can Say Goodbye,” scheduled for release this week.

Mann also told TMZ he and Katherine will make record deals for 273 unreleased Michael Jackson songs — part of an MJ treasure trove he acquired in a fire sale after Joe Jackson failed to pay a storage bill.

But estate lawyer Howard Weitzman is ticked, claiming Mann “may be using his relationship with Mrs. Jackson to infringe upon Michael Jackson’s copyrights … to the detriment of, among others, Michael’s 3 kids.”

Weitzman says Mann has no right “to exploit any estate assets” and he will take “whatever action is necessary to prevent him from unlawfully profiting.” TMZ translation — the estate will sue his ass if Mann goes forward.

We’re told Katherine Jackson is happy with the job the executors have done — namely filling the coffers with hundreds of millions of dollars — but sources say family members are in her ear, getting her to sign off on ventures that end up hurting the estate, MJ’s kids, and Katherine herself.

Source: TMZ

Showdown Between Katherine and MJ Estate

TMZ has learned Katherine Jackson has gone into multiple businesses with a man who promotes online nude gambling — and the stage is now set for a showdown between Katherine and the Michael Jackson estate.

Katherine met Howard Mann five months ago. We’re told she instantly liked him, began inviting him to her grandson’s basketball games and other events, and then they started talking about publishing a book.

The book — “Never Can Say Goodbye: The Katherine Jackson Archives” — is being published this week and sold online at www.jacksonsecretvault.com.

But there’s more. Mann tells us he and Katherine are producing a biopic on Katherine Jackson’s life. And he says they’re going into business to sell 273 unreleased MJ tracks. Mann bought a storage locker owned by the Jackson family after they didn’t pay the storage bill.  There was a treasure trove of stuff in the locker, including the 273 tracks, along with 19,800 photos.

But we’ve learned the Michael Jackson estate is drawing a line in the sand. Estate lawyer Howard Weitzman tells TMZ, “Mr. Mann can listen to the tracks in his living room or play them at cocktail parties, but he has absolutely no right to the intellectual property and has no claim to the music.”

Read more at TMZ

Katherine Jackson’s Lawyer Goes After Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson’s cruel attack — that his wife, Katherine, is responsible for Michael’s death, is but the latest in a rich history of reckless, untrue comments … so says Katherine’s lawyer and the lawyer for Michael Jackson’s estate.

Katherine is not commenting on what amounts to her husband’s declaration of war — that she refused to “keep [Michael] cheered up” because she didn’t want to invade his privacy, and he’d be alive today if she had.

Katherine’s lawyer, Adam Streisand, tells TMZ, “The world knows that Mrs. Jackson has always been a loving mother and grandmother, and that she and Michael had a very special relationship.”  Streisand then drives it home:  “The world also knows who Joe Jackson is and he seems bent on never letting us forget.”

Howard Weitzman, lawyer for the Michael Jackson estate, tells TMZ, “The inference by Joe Jackson that Mrs. Jackson was in any way responsible for Michael’s death is preposterous.  Katherine Jackson was a supportive and loving mother throughout Michael’s life.  His love and respect for her is reflected in his estate plan.”

Now here’s how Joe may have screwed himself.  He’s not included in Michael’s will and no matter how hard he tries to invalidate the will, he’s going to end up with nothing in that department.  The chances of Joe getting a court-approved allowance from the estate are slim to none.  And Joe is trying to exploit Michael’s name to make money, but his unauthorized attempts have pretty much been shut down by the estate.  Ouch … and true.

So the only thing Joe has been able to rely on … Katherine’s generosity in the money department.  Looks like that gravy train may have finally left the station.

Source: TMZ

Forever Michael Memorial — Not MJ Approved

For $150 a ticket, you can pay tribute to Michael Jackson on the one year anniversary of his death … at the swanky Beverly Hilton Hotel.  Problem is … the event is not sanctioned by the people who control all things MJ.

Michael Jackson — The Eyes Have It

“Forever Michael” is being thrown by The Jackson Family Foundation and VoicePlate.com.  Joseph Fahmy, the guy who runs VoicePlate, tells TMZ Joe and Katherine Jackson, along with Michael’s 3 kids are expected to attend.  But sources connected with the family tell us … Katherine and the kids won’t even be in town on June 26 — the day of the event.

According to the VoicePlate website,  “A portion of the proceeds for this event will be presented to some of Michael Jackson’s favorite charities at the event.”  As for what portion goes to charity and where the rest of the money goes … Fahmy wouldn’t say, although he did tell us he just hopes to break even.

And there’s this … Fahmy says Jackson songs will be sung the entire evening.  It’s all news to the Michael Jackson estate.  Howard Weitzman, lawyer for the estate, tells TMZ, “No one ever contacted the Estate to see whether or not they would approve, participate in, or allow the use of Michael’s name, likeness, image or intellectual property for this event.”

Caveat emptor.

Source: TMZ

Michael Jackson Estate — MJ Belts Are Bogus!

An extremely fancy belt commemorating Michael Jackson — and allegedly “sanctioned” by Joe Jackson and Katherine Jackson — can be yours for the bargain basement price of $1,500 — problem is … the whole thing may be illegal.

Here’s the problem.  The belts feature several images trademarked by Michael Jackson – including dancing feet, MJ’s silhouette and the MJ crest – and MJ’s estate must authorize any commercial use of those trademarks, as well as MJ’s name or image.

So of course we called MJ estate lawyer Howard Weitzman, who said the belts were news to him and that the executors never authorized the sale.  Weitzman says, “The Trustees of the Estate of Michael Jackson did not authorize the making or the sale of the Michael Jackson Tribute Belts.“  Weitzman continues, “We would never condone the use of Michael’s children’s signatures to promote the sale of merchandise.”

We haven’t found out who’s behind the website …  but Jerry Olivarez, a PR guy and friend of the Jackson family, has been touting the sale of the belts.  We’re told the site goes live today and 7,000 belts will go up for sale.  And, there will be an auction for the belt signed by Joe, Katherine, and the kids — opening bid is $5 grand.

Attempts to speak with Olivarez were unsuccessful.

Read more at TMZ