Michael Jackson Corporate Structure - Updates 10 Feb 2013 5:08 AM (12 years ago)
One of my returning topics were about the corporate structure around MJ. As I have decided to have regular posts again, I will update these topics first.
All these legal entities belong to The Estate of Michael Jackson, led by John Branca from Ziffren Brittenham LLC and John McClain. Legal representation is done by Howard Weitzman from Kinsella, Weitzman, Iser, Kump and Aldisert LLC. Accounting done by Miller, Kaplan, Arase LLP.
By the way the Estate did a great job with re-structuring MJ's corporate empire, no useless entities left, and everything is centered around one single team of decision makers.
The Michael Jackson Company LLC
Register date: 06/13/2006
County: Delaware, California
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Intellectual property, general.
Established by MJ as the new centerpiece of his re-organised empire. After his death used as an entity for all new major projects.
MJJ Productions LLC
Register date: 10/30/1979
County: Delaware, California
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Intellectual property, general.
Established by MJ was responsible for all things done by MJ as an adult artist. Later has been replaced by The Michael Jackson Company LLC.
MJJ Ventures Inc.
Register date: 02/26/1991
County: Delaware, California
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Intellectual property, especially videos.
Established by MJ was responsible for certain video related projects along with Sony, releasing motion pictures. Later has been replaced by The Michael Jackson Company LLC.
MJJ Artistic Inc.
Register date: 01/04/1990
County: California
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Intellectual property.
The exact profile of this entity is unknown, but most probably owns IP to MJ's graphic ventures from the early 90's.
Triumph International Inc.
Register date: 03/09/1984
County: California
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Intellectual property, trademarks.
Established by MJ still responsible for all major intellectual property related deals.
Optimum Productions Inc.
Register date: 09/21/1983
County: California
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Intellectual property, especially video releases.
Established by MJ was responsible for certain video releases.
Go For Your Dreams Foundation
Register date: 10/10/2003
County: California
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Foundation.
Established by MJ was responsible for a failed charity initiative. It's recent profile is still unkown.
Enchanted Kingdom LLC
Register date: 03/17/2008
County: Nevada
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Real estate.
Established by MJ was responsible for certain projects while he resided in Las Vegas. It's recent profile is still unknown.
MJJ Records LLC (aka. MJJ Music)
Register date: 09/04/1997
County: Delaware
Ownership: 50%
Profile: Master recordings.
However the Californian entity has been just forfeited, it still manages the joint venture between the Estate and Sony.
Cirque Jackson I.P. LLC
Register date: 08/19/2010
County: Delaware
Ownership: 50%
Profile: Intellectual property.
Estate owns this company along with Cirque de Soleil to manage the "Immortal World Tour" project.
Sycamore Valley Ranch Co. LLC
Register date: 07/15/2008
County: Delaware
Ownership: 87.5%
Profile: Real estate.
Estate owns majority of MJ's Neverland Valley Ranch through this entity. Colony Capital is the minority owner.
SEE Virtual World MJ LLC
SEE Virtual World MJ Operations LLC
Register date: 02/26/2010 and 10/14/2009
County: California
Ownership: 0%
Profile: Intellectual property.
This company licenses certain rights to build a virtual world for MJ under PlanetMichael.com. The Estate receives a significant percentage from the incomes.
World Events LLC
Register date: 04/10/2001
County: Delaware
Ownership: 70%
Profile: Intellectual property.
Estate owns this company along with David Guest to manage certain rights related to the "30th Anniversary Concerts".
Desert Auto LLC
Register date: 02/21/2008
County: Nevada
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Unknown.
521 Montana Joint Venture LLC
Register date: 10/30/1990
County: California
Ownership: 5.5%
Profile: Unknown.
PPB LLC and PPB II LLC
Register date: 11/04/2010
County: Delaware
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Trust.
Estate most probably fuels the money through these entities to the beneficiaries of MJ's will.
PPB (NV) LLC
Register date: 06/27/2012
County: Nevada
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Trust.
Estate most probably fuels the money through these entities to the beneficiaries of MJ's will.
MJ Publishing Trust, New Horizont Trust, New Horizont Trust II
Register date: 11/30/1998
County: Delaware
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Trust.
Estate holds MJ's and other artist's copyrights against certain debts.
MJ-ATV Publishing Trust, New Horizont Trust III
Register date: 02/09/1999
County: Delaware
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Trust.
Estate holds the Beatles' and other artist's copyrights against certain debts.
Thriller Live 20 Aug 2012 9:59 AM (12 years ago)
I haven't posted about "Thriller Live", the unauthorized Michael Jackson musical for a while.
Their touring team just stopped making performances in Europe. However they will open a new resident show in Japan next to the already running London shows. See more details here: ThrillerLive.jp
In other related news, the Estate of Michael Jackson and Triumph International Inc. opposed against the team registering the "Thriller Live" trademarks in England. I think they are OK with the team performing there, but don't want to make the same mistake as with Melissa Johnson, and give out the control if the intellectual properties.
Howard Mann's Lies 20 Aug 2012 4:51 AM (12 years ago)
Henry Vaccaro had another deposition this March in regards of the Michael Jackson Estate vs. Howard Mann case.
Vaccaro testified that he and Mann had a fake contract in order to mislead Katherine Jackson. Mann told to Vaccaro that Katherine would not do anything with the Jackson Collection, until Vaccaro is an interested party (Katherine was still furious over Vaccaro because he seized some of the family items in a previous litigation).
It was Mann's idea that they should create a fake agreement saying that Vaccaro sold everything to Mann, however nothing such has happened. As a result of this maneuver they can get Katherine i
involved with the Mann businesses.
Based on the deposition transcripts, Vaccaro is disappointed with Mann's actions. He is criticising him, and insisting that he only wanted to see some money from the deals, but had nothing to do with the everyday operations.
Vaccaro furthermore stated that Mann lied about the sale numbers of the "Never Can Say Goodbye" book. Mann's website, JacksonSecretVaults.com stated that they sold 25,000 copies within 48 hours, however Mann admitted to Vaccaro that it was "all for hype". Vaccaro recalls that the total numbers were very far from this.
In regards of the "Vintage Pop Media" logo what clearly shows MJ leaning from the "Smooth Criminal" video, one of Mann's lawyers said it's a "public domain" and it was Fred Astaire's lean, not MJ.
Mann claims in his papers that the infamous "Destiny" song fiasco was caused by Vaccaro, as Vaccaro sent the sound recording to him represented to be an "original".
In the meantime both parties filed their witness lists. Two names may be interesting from Mann's side: "Dr." Tohme, MJ's infamous manager; and Charles Sullivan, the Promoter of the Jackson Victory Tour.
Updates In Jackson vs. AEG Case 19 Aug 2012 12:03 PM (12 years ago)
"An entertainment company blamed for Michael Jackson's death wants a North Carolina court to subpoena a dentist who "may have been present" when the late pop icon was sedated with propofol.
As the defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Jackson's mother, Anschutz Entertainment Group has asked the Union County Superior Court to subpoena out-of-state witness Dr. Mark Tadrissi, D.D.S.
AEG claims Tadrissi, based in Waxhaw, N.C., is a "healthcare provider who likely treated and/or consulted with Michael Jackson, including in or around 2008."
It says Tadrissi has information and knowledge pertinent to the case, as he "may have been present when Michael Jackson was given sedation, including propofol," the surgical anesthetic that killed the entertainer on June 25, 2009.
Katherine Jackson has accused AEG of instructing her son "to stop seeing and taking medications from his current doctor" and to rely on Dr. Conrad Murray, whom it hired to ensure Michael Jackson attended rehearsals and shows for his "This Is It" tour.
AEG agents went to the entertainer's Beverly Hills home on June 18 and "demanded Michael Jackson stop seeing Dr. Arnold Klein and stop taking the drugs Klein gave him," Katherine Jackson claims. "AEG said Klein's drugs made him sleepy and prevented him from rehearsing. AEG demanded Michael Jackson take only the medications given to him by Murray."
Murray was hired as Michael's personal physician in May 2009 for $150,000 a month. Jackson says he administered "various controlled substances and other medications" to her son, "including Valium, Ativan, Versed, and Propofol."
A week after AEG agents allegedly came to his house, the singer died of a propofol overdose.
Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for his role in Michael Jackson's death and was sentenced to the maximum four years in prison.
AEG says Tadrissi has crucial knowledge in this case that requires a subpoena.
"Among other issues, Michael Jackson's health, medical history, and history of drug use are central to this wrongful death lawsuit," it claims. "This witness possesses knowledge and information, including documents, communications, and records, directly relevant to this case that cannot be obtained from any other source."
Kathryn Cahan is representing AEG and its co-defendants: AEG Live, AEG Live Co-CEOs Brandon "Randy" Phillips and Paul Gongaware, "This Is It" tour director Kenneth Ortega and Anschutz Entertainment Group CEO Timothy Leiweke.
Source: http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/08/16/49367.htm
Raymone Bain is Back! 13 Aug 2012 9:43 AM (12 years ago)
Raymone Bain sued MJ on May 5, 2009, alleging that she and MJ signed a Personal Services Agreement that entitles her for the 10% of MJ's incomes from certain projects. The amount of money she claims exceeds 44 million dollars.
MJ's then lawyers filed for a dismissal 8 days before MJ died, claiming that Bain and MJ signed a document on December 27, 2007 that released the defendants from any such liability. After the tragical events the Judge entered a stay, the case could continue 5 months later.
Since then the Judge ruled in the MJ Esate's favour a couple of times, the last time he closed the case on June 8, 2012. Now Bain is back, as she filed for an appeal in the case on June 29, 2012!
She claims that her office received a letter from MJ on April 24, 2008, appr. 4 months after she has been terminated saying the followings:
"I have never terminated your services nor did I null and void any of your Agreements. I know nothing about a release form. I neither authorized or [sic] signed the same. Therefore, I am authorizing you to continue to communicate with Mr. Yakoob
regarding the Sultan [of Brunei]’s property in Las Vegas, and to continue your role as my General Manager and President/COO of The Michael Jackson Company."
Bain says that MJ was seriously interested in buying a permanent resident in Las Vegas at the time.
Furthermore she claims that this letter has been moved from her office by a consultant of The Michael Jackson Company LLC, and was returned only around July, 2010. On the top of that she says that the 2007 release does not seem to be signed by MJ.
On the grounds of the above new foundings, Bains wants the case to be re-opened. Unfortunately I couldn't find physical traces of the letter she mentioned.
By the way, Bain did not spend a single minute in prison. Her 90 days sentencing has been suspended, and she is on a 60 months probation period now. On the top of that she has to contribute 200 hours of community service, and pay her due taxes (over 200.000 dollars).
Interesting tidbits:
- Bain sat down with John Branca and Howard Weitzman in late 2009, when the Estate Administrators offered to settle her case. Bain insists that she would have been open to settle, however her lawyers advised her not to contact them.
- Bain has been invited to the Jackson Family event for the first anniversary of MJ's death.
Michael Jackson Asia Rights Co II. 13 Aug 2012 12:03 AM (12 years ago)
Despite the efforts of the Estate of Michael Jackson, some brave people in the far Japan are still using MJ's image... illegally.
See my previous entry on this matter: http://lesliemjhu.blogspot.hu/2010/07/michael-jackson-asia-rights-story.html
The "Michael Jackson Asia Rights Co. Ltd." is still active, and coming up with new "surprises". Like a "Jackson family dinner" held sometime this July with the participation of guess who? Josehp Jackson and Dieter Wiesner. Only 50 people could attend the event, that had a special Neverland dinner amongst others.
The company furthermore announced on their own that from July 10, 2012 they decided to sell "official" MJ items. See the whole list here: http://mja-rights.com/img/news/Mjgoods.pdf
Well, It seems they did not read the recent news regarding Howard Mann's copyright infrigment case.
Prince Paris Blanket LLC 11 Aug 2012 3:23 PM (12 years ago)
A little tidbit: The funds from The Michael Jackson Estate to the children are distributed to a Delaware company, called "PPB LLC" (as "Prince Paris Blanket LLC"). It has been registered on November 4, 2010. Already over 10 million dollars has been moved to the company's account.
Another two entities are registered for the same, or almost the same purpose: PPB II LLC in Delaware (August 15, 2011), and PPB (NV), LLC in Nevada (June 27, 2012).
If I should speculate, I would say that the Estate will not only distribute funds through these companies, but will move MJ's (maybe debt free) entities under these new companies/trusts. The multiple names, especially if registered in different states may refer to that.
Corporate Updates 19 May 2012 11:46 AM (12 years ago)
I updated the list of the active Michael Jackson related companies. This is the most comprehensive list ever made in this topic, with some surprises!
The Michael Jackson Company LLC
Register date: 06/13/2006
County: Delaware, California
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Intellectual property, general.
MJJ Productions LLC
Register date: 10/30/1979
County: Delaware, California
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Intellectual property, general.
MJJ Ventures Inc.
Register date: 02/26/1991
County: Delaware, California
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Intellectual property, especially videos.
MJJ Artistic Inc.
Register date: 01/04/1990
County: California
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Intellectual property, most likely comics.
Triumph International Inc.
Register date: 03/09/1984
County: California
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Intellectual property, trademarks.
Optimum Productions Inc.
Register date: 09/21/1983
County: California
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Intellectual property, especially video releases.
World Events LLC
Register date: 04/10/2001
County: Delaware
Ownership: 70%
Profile: Intellectual property, the "30th Anniversary Concerts" (along with David Gest).
Sycamore Valley Ranch Co. LLC
Register date: 07/15/2008
County: Delaware
Ownership: 87.5%
Profile: Owns Neverland Valley Ranch, despite the rumors, MJ is a major owner (along with Colony Capital)!
SEE Virtual World MJ LLC
SEE Virtual World MJ Operations LLC
Register date: 02/26/2010 and 10/14/2009
County: California
Ownership: 50%
Profile: Intellectual property, PlanetMichael.com
Cirque Jackson I.P. LLC
Register date: 08/19/2010
County: Delaware
Ownership: 50%
Profile: Intellectual property, "Immortal World Tour".
Desert Auto LLC
Register date: 02/21/2008
County: Nevada
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Unknown.
521 Montana Joint Venture LLC
Register date: 10/30/1990
County: California
Ownership: 5.5%
Profile: Unknown.
MJ Publishing Trust, New Horizont Trust, New Horizont Trust II
Register date: 11/30/1998
County: Delaware
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Copyright, MJ's own music and fellow artists.
MJ-ATV Publishing Trust, New Horizont Trust III
Register date: 02/09/1999
County: Delaware
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Copyright, Sony-ATV catalouge.
MJJ Records LLC (aka. MJJ Music)
Register date: 09/04/1997
County: California
Ownership: 50%
Profile: Master recordings.
Go For Your Dreams Foundation
Register date: 10/10/2003
County: California
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Foundation.
Furthermore the Michael Jackson Estate owns most of the artistic works MJ created in the past through merge-outs and aquisitions (like concert footages, artworks, collaborations, etc.).
Barely known companies, that has been closed down in the meantime:
Branson Media Group LLC
Register date: 07/12/2001
County: California
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Unknown.
Jackson International LLC
Register date: 08/18/1998
County: Delaware
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Investments (the California entity database still shows it as an active company, however it has been long suspended in Delaware).
Monte Cristo Employment Company LLC
Register date: 02/12/2007
County: Delaware
Ownership: 100%
Profile: Unknown.
HIStory logo - Updates 27 Jan 2012 8:45 PM (13 years ago)
I have been informed that the HIStory logo has been cancelled in Germany due to the a 3rd party request (might be the Michael Jackson Estate). The action happened last October.
Tidbits 7 Jan 2012 6:36 AM (13 years ago)
Most of the Michael Jackson company addresses has been changed to Howard Weitzman's office address recently.
As well the companies have a new CPA: Miller Kaplan Arase and Co. LLP.
Hamid Moslehi, MJ's past personal videographer registered several audio/video materials recently. The materials consists recordings of MJ concerts and his personal life. Will he expose them somehow?
And if someone reads this from the MJ Estate: all the Estate owned domain redirections are not working, except MichaelJacksonLive.com
Legal Cases - Updates 7 Jan 2012 6:15 AM (13 years ago)
Michael Jackson Estate on probate court
Other than having a court hearing about the DeMann case can not be expected soon.
Michael Jackson Estate vs. Howard Mann
The case is still ongoing, nothing interesting has happened. Trial date set for September 2012.
As a reminder: the MJ Estate is suing Mann for illegally using some MJ trademarks and to interfere with their business.
Michael Jackson Estate vs. Melissa Johnson
The case is back, or it has never gone! Johnson's lawyers still contend the settlement agreement between the parties that has been amended by the judge earlier. The Estate wants to make sure that they can fully protect MJ's rights. In the new documents Johnson explained that she is open for a settlement.
As a reminder: the MJ Estate is suing Johnson for illegally using some MJ trademarks and to interfere with their business.
John Landis and Ola Ray vs. Michael Jackson Estate
The case is still ongoing and will go on trial early this year.
Both Landis and Ray are suing the MJ Estate for allegedly unpaid royalty fees from the "Thriller" video.
Lloyds vs. AEG Live and Michael Jackson Estate
At the moment I have no further information on the case.
Furthermore MJ Publishing Trust and Bravado Merchandising Group are included in plenty of cases due to copyright infrigments.
Official websites - Updates 31 Oct 2011 5:37 PM (13 years ago)
The websites controlled by the MJ Estate are quite "simple", re-developments would be needed.
Domains owned by The Michael Jackson Company:
- Except MichaelJacksonLive.com (the last official personal website of MJ) all the domains are redirected to MichaelJacksonFanFest.com (the official website for the December event).
- List of the domains:
MICHAEL-FEST.COM
MICHAEL-FEST.NET
MICHAEL-FEST.ORG
MICHAEL-JACKSON-FAN-FEST.COM
MICHAEL-JACKSON-FESTIVAL.COM
MICHAEL-JACKSON-FESTIVAL.NET
MICHAEL-JACKSON-INTERNATIONAL-FESTIVAL.COM
MICHAEL-JACKSON-INTERNATIONAL-FESTIVAL.NET
MICHAEL-JACKSON-INTERNATIONAL-TRIBUTE.COM
MICHAELFEST.NET
MICHAELFEST.ORG
MICHAELJACKSON-FESTIVAL.COM
MICHAELJACKSON-FESTIVAL.NET
MICHAELJACKSONFANFEST.COM
MICHAELJACKSONFANFEST.NET
MICHAELJACKSONFANFEST.ORG
MICHAELJACKSONFESTIVALINTERNATIONAL.COM
MICHAELJACKSONFESTIVALINTERNATIONAL.NET
MJ-IF.COM
MJ-IF.NET
THE-FIRST-ANNUAL-MICHAEL-JACKSON-INTERNATIONAL-FESTIVAL.COM
THEFIRSTANNUALMICHAELJACKSONINTERNATIONALFESTIVAL.COM
THEMICHAELFEST.COM
THEMICHAELFEST.NET
THEMICHAELFEST.ORG
THEMICHAELJACKSON-FESTIVAL.COM
THEMICHAELJACKSON-FESTIVAL.NET
THEMICHAELJACKSONFANFEST.COM
THEMICHAELJACKSONFANFEST.NET
THEMICHAELJACKSONFANFEST.ORG
THEMICHAELJACKSONFANFESTIVAL.COM
THEMICHAELJACKSONFANFESTIVAL.NET
THEMICHAELJACKSONFANFESTIVAL.ORG
THESECONDANNUALMICHAELJACKSONINTERNATIONALFESTIVAL.COM
365MJ.COM
BESTOFMICHAELJACKSON.COM
CLUB-MJ.COM
CLUBJACKSON.COM
JACKSONWEAR.COM
MICHAEL-JACKSON-LIVE.COM
MICHAEL-JACKSON-RINGTONES.COM
MICHAEL-JACKSON.BIZ
MICHAEL-JACKSON.NET
MICHAEL-JACKSON.ORG
MICHAEL-JACKSON.TV
MICHAEL-JACKSONS-NEVERLAND-RANCH.COM
MICHAELJACKSON-LIVE.COM
MICHAELJACKSON.TV
MICHAELJACKSONBIOGRAPHY.COM
MICHAELJACKSONCOMPANY.COM
MICHAELJACKSONFANCLUB.COM
MICHAELJACKSONLIVE.COM
MICHAELJACKSONRINGTONE.COM
MICHAELJACKSONRINGTONES.COM
MICHAELJJACKSON.COM
MICHAELJOSEPHJACKSON.COM
MICHAELJOSEPHJACKSON.ORG
MIJACMUSIC.COM
MJEXCLUSIVE.COM
MJJ-FILMS.COM
MJJ-NEWS.COM
MJJ-NEWS.NET
MJJ.BIZ
MJJ.NET
MJJFANCLUB.COM
MJJFANSONLINE.COM
MJJFILMS.COM
MJJMUSIC.NET
MJJONLINE.NET
MJJPRODUCTIONS.COM
MJJRADIO.COM
MJRADIO.COM
NEVERLAND.ORG
PETERPAN.NET
PETERPAN.ORG
THEJACKSON5.COM
THEJACKSON5.NET
THEJACKSON5.ORG
THEJACKSONFIVE.COM
THEJACKSONFIVE.NET
THEJACKSONFIVE.ORG
THEJACKSONS.BIZ
THEJACKSONS.COM
THEJACKSONYEARS.COM
THEKINGOFPOP.COM
THEMICHAELJACKSONCOMPANY.COM
THEMICHAELJACKSONFANCLUB.COM
Domains owned by strategic partners:
- Sony:
michaeljackson.com
michaeljackson.de
michaeljackson.es
kingofpop.se
kingofpop.org
thisisit.gr
thisisitmovie.com
- AEG:
michaeljacksonexhibition.co.uk
- Bravado:
michaeljacksonmerch.com
- Cirque De Soleil:
cirquemichaeljackson.com
- NetInfo2u Inc.:
mjbobble.com
whereismj.com
- Ubisoft:
michaeljackson-theexperience.com
- SEE Virtual World MJ LLC:
PlanetMichael.com
Tidbits 29 Oct 2011 10:28 AM (13 years ago)
The US claims that the president of Equatorial Guinea refuses to return materials he got through stoling his country's money. President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mbasogo amongst others bought Michael Jackson memorablia for 32 million USD. I still don't know which collection he got, that includes MJ's Bad tour gloves.
Freddy DeMann's case against the MJ Estate is still ongoing on the Los Angeles Superior Court. Amongst others they claim: "Now that the recordings, dances, likeness, styles and public persona of Michael Jackson created while Mr. DeMann and his companies managed Michael Jackson have been translated into the newest forms of amusements ranging from video games to Cirque Du Soleil, the executors of Michael Jackson's Estate have elected to deny plaintiff DeMann its rights under the 1978 management agreement."
Julien Entertainment.com demands $600,000 from Live Auctioneers, an online auction site, claiming it suffered those damages defending a lawsuit from a bidder in the 2009 auction of items from Michael Jackson's "Neverland."
Nederlander Presentations Inc. vs. Michael Jackson Estate 15 Oct 2011 3:21 AM (13 years ago)
The plaintiff sued originally Michael Jackson and later his Estate claiming that they signed an agreement to produce a "Thriller" musical for the broadway. However this deal never realised.
Now the case has been dismissed for the plaintiff's request, no further details are known.
First Commemorative Mint Inc. vs. Bravado International Merchandising Services Inc. 9 Oct 2011 1:14 AM (13 years ago)
The above titled case has been settled last week. The parties agreed to discuss the settlement terms out of the court, and came to a solution that is now known at the moment.
As I have reported previously, the plaintiff decided to sue not only Bravado but Triumph International Inc. because they claimed that the defendants along with the Michael Jackson Estate refused to participate in certain PR events. Therefore they have lost big opportunities selling the coins.
The company already gave out a press release saying that they will sell the coings again, and this will be available at retailer stores very soon. The only change I noticed is that selling the coings is strictly limited to the US.
Business Entities - Updates 2 Oct 2011 2:52 PM (13 years ago)
Still the Michael Jackson intellectual properties are divided into many companies. Other than that some entities' profile is unknown.
100% ownership:
The Michael Jackson Company LLC (Active in Delaware and California; Owns some intellectual property since 2006)
MJJ Productions Inc. (Active both in Delaware and California; Owns some intellectual property since 1979; MJ's production company between 1979-2006)
MJJ Ventures (Active in California; Owns some intellectual property related to short films since 1991)
Optimum productions Inc. (Active in California; Owns intellectual property related to short films since 1983)
MJJ Artistic Inc. (Active in California; Owns some intellectual property since 1990)
Nation Comics Inc. (Active in California; Owns some intellectial property since 1991)
Invincible Tours Inc. (Active in California; Controlled MJ's planned 2002 tour since 2001)
Triumph International Inc. (Active in Delaware and California; Owns most of the intellectual property related to MJ since 1982)
Triumph Multimedia Inc. (Active in California; Owns some intellectual property since 1993)
MJ-ATV Publishing Trust (Active in Delaware; Controls MJ's part in Sony/ATV since 1999)
MJ Publishing LLC (Active in Delaware; Controls MJ's own music catalog and master recordings since 1998, aka. MiJac Music)
New Horizon Trust I. II. and III. (Active in Delaware; Holds publishing rights against debts)
Go For Your Dream Foundation (Active in California; Controls MJ's previous foundation since 2003)
Desert Auto LLC (Active in California and Nevada; It's profile is unknown)
50% partnerships:
SEE Virtual World MJ LLC (Active in California; Controls the joint venture on PlanetMichael.com project since 2009)
SEE Virtual World MJ Operations LLC (Active in California; Controls the joint venture on PlanetMichael.com project since 2010)
Cirque Jackson I.P. LLC (Active in Delaware; Controls the joint venture with Cirque De Soleil on the MJ shows since 2010)
Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (Active in Delaware and California; Controls the joint venture with Sony since 1995)
Sycamore Valley Ranch Company LLC (Active in California; Controls MJ's Neverland Ranch with Colony Capital since 2008)
MJJ Records LLC (Active in Delaware and California; Owns master records and intellectual property to MJ's MJJ Music label recordings with Sony)
World Events LLC (Active in Delaware; Owns intellectual property to the 2001 MJ concerts with David Gest)
MJ Licensing LLC (Active in Delaware; Owns some intellectual property in Europe since 2003 with Dieter Wiesner)
Questionable companies:
MJJ Kingdom LLC (Active in Delaware and California; It's profile is unknown, created in the Tohme Tohme era in 2008)
Jackson International LLC (Active in California; MJ's previous investment company since 1998, it's function is unknown)
Legal Cases - Updates 17 Sep 2011 9:48 AM (13 years ago)
Below you can read an updated list of the legal cases of the Michael Jackson Estate (I didn't include any non-related or Jackson family cases). At the moment the MJ Estate doesn't have any serious cases, but they have to fight to protect MJ's legacy.
Michael Jackson Estate on probate court
September will have some interesting hearings, amongst others the court will decide on a new contract between the MJ Estate and an unnamed party about selling exclusive MJ rights; selling the Hayvenhurst residence and buying a new estate for Katherine Jackson and the kids.
Michael Jackson Estate vs. Howard Mann
The case is still ongoing, but after the motion of the private investigator has been rejected nothing interesting happened. The trial already has a tentative date for September, 2012.
As a reminder: the MJ Estate is suing Mann for illegally using some MJ trademarks and to interfere with their business.
John Landis and Ola Ray vs. Michael Jackson Estate
The cases will go on trial from October 24th, 2011 and early next year.
Both Landis and Ray are suing the MJ Estate for allegedly unpaid royalty fees from the "Thriller" video.
Nederlander Presentations vs. Michael Jackson Estate
The case will go on trial this November.
As a reminder: Nederlander sued MJ due to a contract for the theatrical version of "Thriller", that never realised.
Lloyds vs. AEG Live and Michael Jackson Estate
At the moment I have no further information on the case.
Michael Jackson Estate vs. Melissa Johnson
After the case has been closed some other documets been filed on the court, however many of them has been filed under seal. Based on the available papers it seems that Johnson still tries to fight for the intellectual properties of the MJ Estate and wants to be heard on October 24, 2011. And of course she has a new lawyer again, who is asking for some delay in the case... again. This is a last and powerless attempt on Johnson's part.
As a reminder: the MJ Estate sued Johnson for copytight infrigment and to interfere with their business. The only trademarks they still owns are: "Make the change", "Michael", "Gone too soon" and "TGOL".
First Commemorative Inc. vs. Bravado International Group
This case is still ongoing. If you remember, Bravado signed a deal with the above mentioned company to produce and sell official coins with Michael Jackson's face. The business deal failed, the company claimed that Bravado didn't follow the things they agreed on, especially when it came to the promotion of the ready product.
The next hearing will be on October 12, 2011, but good news that the parties successfully mediated the case and in the process of having a settlement.
Furthermore MJ Publishing Trust and Bravado Merchandising Group are included in plenty of cases due to copyright infrigments.
The Michael Jackson Trip 2. 17 Jul 2011 8:23 AM (13 years ago)
Some more info:
Grammy museum: yesterday I visited the MJ exhibition down on the Olympic Boulvard. MJ has only one wall with appr. 7-9 costumes, majority of them owned by his Estate. Except two suites that is owned by John Branca. On the ground floor in the merchandising store you can get some MJ items licensed by Bravado or the Grammy museum (they are selling posters licensed by MJ Licensing Llc as well, hope the Estate people are aware of this).
Thriller house: the location where the famous video has been shooted is pretty empty now. Actually the house is falling apart and it's hard to even know if you are on the right place. Nothing shows the importance of that place.
Let me know if you would see actual pictures of the places and I will upload them.
The Michael Jackson Trip 16 Jul 2011 6:58 AM (13 years ago)
I made a trip to California to visit the famous MJ places. Though I can't say anything revealing, I share my experiences here (at the moment I'm sitting in the grass in front of the Neverland gates).
Gardener street elementary school: I was surprised how close it is to the center of Los Angeles. Nothing interesting to say, it's a small downtown school building. MJ' name still uncovered!
Hayvenhurst property: Surprised again. I knew that this compound isn't that big, but it was even hidden under some trees. No sign of fame or rich, all you can see is a big brown gate. Many security cameras, visible alarming system and a note from the local police. That's what shows that something is going on in. Related to the other MJ places Hayvenhurst isn't that "shiny".
Neverland property: I took a helicopter ride over Neverland so I could see everything pretty good. Everything is moved out, no animals either. However the property is in pretty good condition. I have been told that they are working on taking back the train, as well some elments of the entertainment park. Lots of people were moving on the ground, busy working on the renovation. The front gates are just as they are on the pictures. It can be seen that someone is taking care of things here. There is a 24 hours security next to the front gates. To show how busy things are here, two cars were leaving Neverland and a bunch of tourists stopped here over the past 30 minutes (most of them not recognising the gates for first).
Hollywood star: The only star where people gathered on Hollywood Boulvard. And I'm not saying this because I'm a fan of his. People were in lines to take a picture of his star.
Madane Tussaud museum: They have a special tribute to MJ, a room on the second floor filled with 3 MJ figures (little Michael, Bad era, Invincible era). A plate states that MJ was the most portraid in the history of the museum.
Carolwood compound: It's in pretty condition, and under sale. People were busy here as well, cars were coming and going.
Forest Lawn: Beautiful place, however not much to see there. The gates are closed and you can just imagine what is in there (glasses are darkened). Fans were coming and going, some emotional scenes to see there.
Captain EO: It can be found in Disneyland's Tomorrowland section. I attended 2 shows, that ran with almost full house. At the beginning the presenter asked who is an MJ fan: everyone screamed and clapped! The movie itself is good, but of course to see MJ again is what takes your attention. There is a merchandising store next to the theather with t-shirts and caps.
In a nutshell, I see big interest in MJ here, and definiaetly people's opinion just got better of him. There are some people, especially his Estate who are taking care of his legacy. However Neverland has great unused possibilities in my opinion...
Iglesias Aner vs. The Michael Jackson Estate 3 Jul 2011 11:24 AM (13 years ago)
You might remember for the case filed by Iglesias Aner, claiming that MJ didn't pay the rent fees for one of the homes owned by Iglesias. Here are some more details on the case:
On February 8, 2008 Michael Amir Williams, MJ's personal assistant signed an agreement in MJ's name for leasing the compound under 2710 Palomino Lane, Las Vegas. The term was for the period between March 1, 2008 and August 31, 2008.
On September 6, 2008 Williams notified Iglesias that they would extend the agreement to August 31, 2009. In the light of this, it's interesting to think about what would have happened if MJ would stay in this home...
The premises were vacated and turned over to Iglesias on September 17, 2009. Iglesias claims that everything has been paid until as it has been written in the agreement, however the period between September 1 and 17 wasn't paid. Furthermore he said that when the premises has been vacated the home was damaged.
Iglesias filed a creditors claim in September, 2009 for $324.000, and decided later to sue the MJ Estate because he felt he didn't get any response on time.
In late March the parties agreed that they settle the case out of court.
Michael Jackson Estate vs. Howard Mann 22 Jun 2011 2:05 PM (13 years ago)
As an interesting twist in the story, Henry Vaccaro's private investigator who found the Jackson memorablia back in 2002 filed a petition in the case. He claims that he is entitled to 14% of anything that comes from the collection. And he doesn't care who pays him, Vaccaro, Howard Mann or the MJ Estate.
Mann and Vaccaro jointly filed an opposition that the investigator doesn't have any interest in the memorablia. However they didn't provide any details.
On the other side the MJ Estate filed papers from the 1996 case where the Judge decided to sell the Jackson family estates, except MJ's and Janet's. Now they say that Vaccaro have not been entitled to get any of MJ's properties, neither he could have sell it.
This means that the MJ Estate changed it's strategy, and now they are going after the previous court decesions, and they want to get all the MJ related items, not only stop Mann and Vaccaro.
The Michael Jackson Estate vs. Howard Mann 14 Jun 2011 2:56 PM (13 years ago)
Howard Mann's lawyers filed their list of witnesses, what is... the strangest set of people ever seen! Just to name a few:
Dr. Tohme,
Katherine and Joseph Jackson,
All the Jackson siblings,
Henry Vaccaro,
Joel Katz,
Al Malnic,
Didier Witzner (might be Dieter Wiesner :) ),
Brian Oxman,
Adam Streisand,
Longdell MacMillan (aka. Londell McMillan :) ),
Randy Phillips.
They are citing multiple letters between parties like Brett Livingstone-Strong, Henry Lowell and Katherine.
On the other side the MJ Estate named his witnesses as well, where similar names appears, with the addition of Trent Jackson and Melissa Johnson.
The case might go to trial with the estimated start of June 11, 2012.
Steven Echols vs. The Michael Jackson Estate 14 Jun 2011 1:06 PM (13 years ago)
I have been asked about the Steven Echols vs. The Michael Jackson Estate case. Below you can read some details:
- Echols claimed that he and his company was in contract with MJ as bodyguards between February and December 2008. He said that the invoices has been given to MJ's then people, but not paid at the time of his death in the amount of $300.000
- First the MJ Estate denied all of the claims.
- There are no details about the settlement, however it has been requested by the MJ Estate on the court.
Lloyds vs. AEG Live and The Michael Jackson Company 11 Jun 2011 11:57 AM (13 years ago)
As the media reported, the Lloyds sued both AEG Live and The Michael Jackson Company this week. Below you may read some details about the case:
- Lloyds and AEG started negotiations for a while about the insurance payments due to MJ's death. But according to Lloyds, AEG refused to handle important documents and informations to them regarding MJ, AEG and Conrad Murray. Therefore Lloyds is not willing to pay any money, or not the full amount.
- The insurance agreement refers to MJ as "Mark Jones" and to his company as "The Mark Jones Company LLC" for privacy reasons.
- Interstingly the agreement was about 30 concerts, therefore MJ planned way more than 10 concerts from the very beginnings. That doesn't support the claims that MJ has been pushed into more concerts without his knowledge.
- According to the agreement there were some restrictions, like Lloyds' representatives should have seen MJ on one of the London rehearsals, as well to see his medical reports. That finally never took place.
- According to the papers MJ hasn't visited any doctors since his 2005 trial than "cosmetic doctors".
- The insurance agreement details how the stage would have been look like, and it's moving parts. As well it lists all the team members appearing on stage.
- It's been planned the MJ will live in a rented place paid by AEG Live UK. He would have been move by 2-3 cars, and the travel time would take 20 to 60 minutes depending on the traffic. He would have been accompanied by Karen Faye, Conrad Murray and his children on occasions. Plus 2-3 bodyguards.
- MJ would have been arrive to the UK on or around 4th of July, 2009 by a private chart. The first rehearsal would have been on the 8th, of July.
- AEG expected 43 million USD in incomes after the first 30 shows.
- MJ did not agree to any "meet and greets" kind of parties.
- Dr. Tohme Tohme was also covered by the policy.
The Michael Jackson Estate vs. Joe Jackson 9 Jun 2011 1:29 PM (13 years ago)
As the media reported, Bravado International Merchandising Services Inc. sued Julian Rouas. Bravado is licensing the Michael Jackson likeness from the MJ Estate, and Rouas is the partner of Joe Jackson in creating a series of parfumes as announced recently. Because of the close connection between Rouas and Jackson, Bravado most probably consulted with the MJ Estate about launching this case.
The case itself is very similar to the ones that Bravado filed in the past couple of months against plenty of other parties. They are referring to the merchandising deal they have with the MJ Estate, and claiming copyright infrigment. They