Michael Jackson Estate Sues Walt Disney Company

The estate of the late Michael Jackson is suing the Walt Disney Company for copyright infringement claiming the company never received permission to use footage and songs by Jackson in their TV special entitled “The Last Days of Michael Jackson.” The program premiered last week to an audience of 5.5 million viewers. Disney’s lawyers have stated that because the program was a documentary that permission to use the material was not necessary.

The TV special featured the late performer’s funeral and his children’s emotional statements which the estate says were never licensed for commercial use. Short recordings of the singer’s famous songs “Beat It” and “Billie Jean” were also used, and the estate claims it was never approached by the Disney Company to use those songs.

The estate is suing for profits Disney made off the special and other damages.

See Michael Jackson Estate Sues Walt Disney Company, TMZ, May 30, 2018.