Michael Jackson Estate Wins Legal Battle: $600 Million Sony Catalog Sale Approved
A California appeals court has ruled in favor of the Michael Jackson Estate, allowing the $600 million sale of the singer’s music catalog to Sony Music to proceed. This decision comes after Katherine Jackson, Michael’s mother, contested the deal, arguing it violated her son’s wishes.
A Long-Awaited Decision
The appeals court finalized its decision on July 26, 2024, a month after issuing a tentative ruling against Katherine Jackson. This finalizes the approval for the sale and paves the way for Sony Music to acquire half of the King of Pop’s publishing rights and recorded masters catalog.
The Estate’s Argument: Broad Powers Granted
The crux of the court’s decision rested on the interpretation of Michael Jackson’s will. The court determined that the will granted the estate’s executors, John Branca and John McClain, “broad powers of sale.” This clause, according to the court, “gave them the authority to sell any estate assets, including those at issue in the proposed transaction.”
Katherine Jackson’s Objections and Rejected Appeals
Katherine Jackson argued that the sale contradicted Michael’s wishes and that the value of the catalog would continue to appreciate, making it a bad investment decision. However, the court ultimately dismissed these arguments for two reasons:
- Forfeiture of Arguments: The court ruled that Katherine had failed to raise these objections in the lower probate court, thus forfeiting the opportunity to present them at the appeals level.
- Full Power and Authority Granted to Executors: The court emphasized that the will explicitly vested Branca and McClain with “full power and authority” to manage the estate, including asset sales. The proposed transaction, as the court stated, “is not a gift or distribution of estate assets—it is an asset sale.”
Repercussions and Potential Next Steps
This legal battle has exposed tensions within the Jackson family. Back in March 2024, Michael’s son, Prince “Blanket” Jackson, reportedly requested the court to halt Katherine Jackson’s use of estate funds to block the Sony deal. While both initially opposed the sale, Blanket and his siblings appear to have accepted the probate court’s initial ruling.
Katherine Jackson, however, retains the option to appeal the decision to the California Supreme Court, although the court’s opinion suggests her chances of success are slim.
The Sony Music Deal: A Detailed Look
As reported by Billboard earlier in 2024, the proposed deal involves Sony Music acquiring half of Michael Jackson’s publishing rights and recorded masters catalog for over $600 million. This substantial sum adds to the $55 million Katherine Jackson has reportedly received from the estate since her son’s passing in 2009. The estate’s executors further claim they have addressed “virtually no request of Mrs. Jackson for her care or maintenance” and have provided her with over $33 million in cash.
