In a decisive legal victory for Michael Jackson’s estate, a California appeals court has affirmed that the estate’s executors can proceed with a USD 600 million sale of the late pop icon’s music catalogue to Sony Music.
The ruling, which comes despite objections from Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, clears the way for the high-value transaction and upholds the estate’s management decisions, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The appeals court, issuing a final judgment on Wednesday, dismissed Katherine Jackson’s claims that the sale contravened Michael Jackson’s wishes.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the court’s decision finalizes a tentative ruling from the previous month, confirming that the executors of Jackson’s estate, John Branca and John McClain, acted within their authority as granted by the singer’s will.
“The will gave the executors broad powers of sale, with no exception for the specific assets at issue in this case,” the court stated in its ruling.
“As such, [a lower judge] did not err in concluding that it was Michael’s intent to allow the executors to sell any estate assets, including those at issue in the proposed transaction,” the court stated, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The ruling addresses not only the validity of the sale but also rejects Katherine Jackson’s appeal on procedural grounds.
The court reportedly noted that Katherine had forfeited her arguments by not raising them before the lower probate court. Her attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the recent decision.
The sale involves Sony Music purchasing 50 per cent of Michael Jackson’s publishing and recorded masters catalogue for over USD 600 million.
Katherine Jackson had raised several objections to the deal, arguing that it violated her son’s wishes and that retaining the catalogue would likely yield greater value over time.
In their recent ruling, the appeals court reportedly addressed and rejected several of Katherine’s key arguments. The legal dispute has also highlighted tensions among Jackson’s heirs.
In March, Jackson’s son, Blanket, intervened in the case, requesting that the court prevent Katherine from using estate funds to oppose the Sony deal. As per The Hollywood Reporter, since Michael Jackson’s death, she has reportedly been provided with over USD 55 million, including more than USD 33 million in cash. (ANI)
