In the case of MJ, it’s not just a matter of someone who worked with him selling a few DATs because they needed money. Allegedly, there’s a deeper and messier side to it. A lot of these so-called “collectors” don’t just do it for the music, their ego plays a huge part.
Some of them manipulate people who actually worked with Michael, gaining their trust to get information or material they can later gatekeep. In situations like the Brad Buxer, MP, or Paul Anka stuff, it’s been alleged that a lot of it came from hackers who got into personal accounts and stole files to sell. Even if people don’t have stuff or would never sell, they’re constantly going after and manipulating anyone who worked with Michael to squeeze any information out from them, while simultaneously paying hackers for the work these people themselves don’t even have.
Once people get their hands on that kind of material, it becomes an endless cycle. They always want more, they start editing the files, adding invisible watermarks, and selling lower-quality versions just so they can keep the “master” and trace future leaks. I’m not sure exactly but various multitracks and song leaks have these watermarks on them. We don’t even have the original untouched stuff for a lot of things. What’s funny is they’ll buy something, call it garbage, then still hoard it and flip it to fund the next “garbage” song that only they’ll have.
Meanwhile, they’re all keeping tabs on and watching everyone. Alt accounts, word-of-mouth gossip, and even going after deals just to stop others from getting stuff and sharing it, all to feel important and in control.
Bottom line: if you end up with something you shouldn’t have, it’s only a matter of time before it leaks.