MJ Estate Sues Howard Mann and business partner Henry Vaccaro - Settlement reached

Vici

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(To the mods, since the thread about the estate sent a cease and desist letter to Howard Mann was closed, I opened a new thread, hope thats Ok)

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MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner

Michael Jackson's Estate has just sued Howard Mann, Katherine Jackson's business partner, claiming he's been ripping off Michael's name and likeness for profit ... TMZ has learned

0120-michael-jackson-howard-mann-ex-tmz.jpg


According to the lawsuit, filed Thursday in L.A. County Superior Court, the Estate claims Mann has violated copyright, trademark and cyber piracy laws by hocking all things MJ.

Estate lawyer Howard Weitzman says, "The Estate had hoped Mann would voluntarily cease his conduct but that was not to be," adding, "People who trade off Michael's personality, copyrights, and trademarks should not be allowed to exploit the legacy of one of the world's most recognized talents for their own benefit."

The Estate did not name Katherine Jackson as a defendant.

http://www.tmz.com/2011/01/20/micha...right-lawsuit-suit-trademark/#comments-anchor
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner

And on to the next one...
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner

well done, now shut down all the other vultures
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

This was long time coming


(To the mods, since the thread about the estate sent a cease and desist letter to Howard Mann was closed, I opened a new thread, hope thats Ok)

yep it's fine but everyone please remember this is a thread about MJ estate and howard mann lawsuit so let's try to keep Katherine out of this discussion as much as possible.
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

good.
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

PRAISE THE LORD!

I'm delighted with this news. In my opinion, the Estate Of Michael Jackson showed great restraint while dealing with this matter, but ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Mann has be flaunting this venture and as far as I'm concerned he overplayed his hand when he released that "so-called" new song, thinking that Michael's loyal fans would not be able to tell that joint was old. LOL!

You can't play Michael's fans and expect us to have your back. That's all I'm saying!
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

I'm glad that The Estate takes attitude ... Mann deserves to pay for use Michael`s image!
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

PRAISE THE LORD!

I'm delighted with this news. In my opinion, the Estate Of Michael Jackson showed great restraint while dealing with this matter, but ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Mann has be flaunting this venture and as far as I'm concerned he overplayed his hand when he released that "so-called" new song, thinking that Michael's loyal fans would not be able to tell that joint was old. LOL!

You can't play Michael's fans and expect us to have your back. That's all I'm saying!
Well Said. :clapping:
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

Mann has be flaunting this venture and as far as I'm concerned he overplayed his hand when he released that "so-called" new song, thinking that Michael's loyal fans would not be able to tell that joint was old. LOL!

I wonder if they (Mann and KJ) ever profited from this partnership? How many fans were actually supporting them? I guess some bought the book but all other events? Did fans attend those? LOL

This is so sad, I mean everything that has happened post june 25th so far have been a damn disaster.
You would think that Katherine would have turned her back on this man after the "new song" fiasco and where they lied and said Katherine supported the release (which wasnt true).. but no, Katherine attende a Mann event a few weeks later called "Unveiling of the Jackson Secret Vault Lithographic Collection". I guess she has contractual obligations to do but Im happy about the estate taking some action (finally!!!) and I hope the estate will put an end to this crap ie promoting all kinds of crap with MJs name, selfish bastards.
 
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Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

Like, who didn't see this coming? Shutting down the vultures one by one, good. Its about time someone put a stop to using Michael just for profit.
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

This is a little OT, but I'm gonna say it anyway:

Hopefully Joe Jackson and the PERFUME guy will get wind of this new development and it will serve as notice that the Estate Of Michael Jackson is not playing, and IF Joe and the PERFUME guy plan on using Michael's likeness in anyway to hawk said perfume, they BETTER think again!

Okay, back on topic:

I would have love to see the look on Mann's face when he was served the papers. LOL!
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

hopefully this will stop the children being used aswell
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

Michael Jackson's estate sues over website

Michael Jackson's estate has sued a website featuring a book written by the singer's mother and other works it claims are copyright violations.

The estate sued businessman Howard Mann, who operates the website
www.jacksonsecretvault.com and is selling a book featuring recollections of the pop superstar by his mother.

The copyright infringement lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles asks a federal judge to turn the website over to the singer's estate and turn over its profits and pay unspecified damages.

The lawsuit claims the website improperly uses images that the estate owns from the film "This Is It," which was released after Jackson's death in June 2009.

An e-mail message sent to the website's operators was not immediately returned.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap...OQ7Tpg?docId=48f12267bca945fd82fdb13be4018450
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

Michael Jackson's estate sues over website

The copyright infringement lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles asks a federal judge to turn the website over to the singer's estate and turn over its profits and pay unspecified damages.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap...OQ7Tpg?docId=48f12267bca945fd82fdb13be4018450
Thank God. I pray now Katherine will become a full-time
grandmother to Michael Jackson's children. :angel:
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

hopefully this will stop the children being used aswell
Hope so too, none of them. Katherine included, none of them have the right to bind MINOR CHILDREN of a deceased man, to a life long contract with a porn producer.
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

Some good news for a change...
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

good job estate.. I guess next is whoever is making the perfume on Joe's behalf
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

MJ Songs, Art and Photos -- Tale of Thievery


Katherine Jackson's business partner illegally made millions of bucks from Michael Jackson's music, photos and drawings -- this according to a lawsuit filed by MJ's Estate and obtained by TMZ.


The MJ Estate has sued Howard Mann -- the guy behind MichaelJacksonSecretVault.com -- claiming Mann has duped fans into believing his website was kosher ... when it was in fact, "rife with illegal uses of Michael Jackson intellectual property."

According to the lawsuit, Mann displayed "arrogant disregard" for the Estate's copyrights on all things MJ ... and wrongfully published clips, artwork and trailers from "This Is It" -- content from the "Thriller: 25th Anniversary Edition" CD and much, much more.

The Estate also accuses Mann of posting an "unreleased" MJ song called "Opis None" ... which in reality, was a remix of the song "Destiny" which The Jacksons released in 1979. The Estate claims Mann had no right to publish the song ... and the confusion he caused damaged the MJ Estate.


The Estate also claims Mann published several sketches that MJ drew himself ... including one titled, "Bubbles Chair" ... as well as a number of copyrighted photographs in Katherine Jackson's coffee table book, "Never Can Say Goodbye."

The Estate believes Mann hauled in more than $1.5 million in sales from the book in its first two days -- money that rightfully belongs to the Jackson Estate.

The Estate wants to recoup all of the revenues Mann raked in from the sale and publication of the Estate's property ... plus punitive damages -- which surely could be in the tens of millions.

Documents here

http://tmz.vo.llnwd.net/o28/newsdesk/tmz_documents/0120_jackson.pdf

will update with a summary
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

that scum made so much money? Whatever money's made belongs to MJ's estate.
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

As long as the estate does not sue a Jackson , such deals would never stop. Joe and the perfume guy, Latoya's new book...etc


The estate is repeating the same mistake MJ committed ;always suing his siblings and parents' partners but removing them as defendants and we all know how that did not stop them , they felt they could always get away with everything.

Ivy, a legal question please, like Murray did in the wrongful death lawsuit can't Mann raise the argument that Katherine is not listed as a defendant?

Can Mann sue Katherine for the money she received after the estate wins this case?
 
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Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

As long as the estate does not sue a Jackson , such deals would never stop. Joe and the perfume guy, Latoya's new book...etc
unfortunately this is true..
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

Thanks, Ivy, for updates. This is absolutely incredible! Great news, that the estate is taking care of it!
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

Its hard to keep up with all these law suits, but they are necessary so its a good thing :)
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

Great news
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

About time! I knew they were'nt gonna let this go and its interesting that they excluded Katherine from this lawsuit 'cause they could've sued her as well when you think about it. Hopefully Latoya, Joe and the crew are taking note. Related or not, they can't just use Michael anyway they choose.

I have to say I am very happy to see that Michael's legacy will be protected from unscrupulous characters.....go MJ Estate!

Can Mann sue Katherine for the money she received after the estate wins this case?

You darn right he can! I can bet this will happen if The Estate wins!
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

MJ Songs, Art and Photos -- Tale of Thievery


The Estate believes Mann hauled in more than $1.5 million in sales from the book in its first two days -- money that rightfully belongs to the Jackson Estate.

The Estate wants to recoup all of the revenues Mann raked in from the sale and publication of the Estate's property ... plus punitive damages -- which surely could be in the tens of millions.

Omg, i would never guess Howard Mann made $1,5 million from the book sales only...
I really really hope he has to turn over all the profits to the estate...
 
Re: MJ Estate Sues Katherine Jackson's Business Partner Howard Mann

Documents here

http://tmz.vo.llnwd.net/o28/newsdesk/tmz_documents/0120_jackson.pdf

Summary

- Estate is suing Howard Mann, Sonia Lowe (editor of the book and the website) , Vintage Pop Media (and several of it's sister corporations all owned by and connected to Howard Mann) and unknown does (such as affiliates, employees, agents, partner, representative, aider, abettor, co-conspirator, alter-egos)

- In short Estate didn't give them any permissions and any licences to use Michael's name or likeliness.

- Website is mentioned as the place that sells all the copyright infringed items.

- This is it artwork, trailer etc is used on the website. (vault videos and main site design)

- The book:
--- 5 copyrighted hand drawn sketches of MJ are included in the book.
--- The book has "Special thanks to Estate of Michael Jackson" suggesting that this was approved by the Estate - which the Estate denies and calls it false endorsement
--- Howard Mann made a statement saying that "less than 48 hours they sold 25,000 copies" if truthful it means $1.5M in first 2 days only.

- Lithographic collection event
--- used an unauthorized picture of MJ in their promotions
--- as we heard before some of the profits will go to the fake "Heal the World" - Estate says tries to create association between the Estate and the event and as well as Estate and Heal the world foundation.
--- Estate says despite their cease and desist and request to clearly say that 'MJ Estate wasn't in any way involved with this event', Mann didn't make any changes and continued to promote the event.

- Estate's legal claims
--- This is it copyright was infringed - by the pictures and videos
--- Opis None is a remix of "Destiny" which is released by Sony in 1978. As the song is still present in the website (with unauthorized MJ picture) this is again a copyright infringement. (Sony music authorized Estate to bring copyright claims.)
--- Content from 25th Anniversary DVD and CD of Thriller is presented on the website - another copyright infringement.
--- The book has "Bubbles Chair", "Key III", "Boy", "Happy Gate", "We the people" drawings - again copyright infringement.
--- Vintage Pop Media logo contains "Smooth Criminal Lean" on the left arm of "V". Again infringement. Also misleads public to believe that the items sold are associated/ allowed by MJ / Estate. Estate also wants Vintage Pop Media to remove the "Smooth Criminal Lean" from their corporate logo.
--- The "Special Thanks to the Estate of Michael Jackson" note on the book is deceiving people to believe that the book is affiliated/ authorized by the Estate. Estate makes a false endorsement claim for this.
--- The domain names "jacksonsecretvault.com" , "michaeljacksonsecretvault.com", "mjgives.com" and "mjduets.com" has MJ's name, can deceive people to believe that estate is behind these domain names so Estate is making cyber squatting and cyber piracy claim and want the domains to be transfered to the Estate.
--- Misappropriation of likeliness claim for VPM logo (SC lean), MJ name/image/likeliness use throughout the website, MJ name/image/likeliness use for promotion of the book /products /lithograph collection
--- Unfair competition.

- Furthermore Estate wants the court to come to a decision (make declaration) about who owns what rights in regards to the items in the possession of Mann. (Such as "X have the rights to this and they can do this and that")

- Estate lists in a detailed format that they want the profits, punitive damages awarded by the court, legal costs, and injunction for the further and future activities.
 
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