Jackson Estate Wins Appeal: Sony Music Deal for Song Rights Approved
A UK appeals court has dismissed a legal challenge by Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, seeking to block the sale of a portion of the singer's song rights to Sony Music Group for an estimated £480 million.
The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, upheld a previous decision by a probate court that Katherine Jackson's objections lacked merit. The appeals court found that Michael Jackson's will grants the executors "wide-ranging powers to buy and sell estate assets in the estate's best interests," while stipulating that "all of the estate's assets will be distributed to the trust," which benefits the singer's mother and children.
Katherine Jackson had argued that these provisions were contradictory, but the appeals court disagreed. The court also dismissed her claim that the sale violated the spirit of Michael Jackson's wishes, stating that she had not raised this point in the lower court.
Court documents reveal that Katherine Jackson had previously voiced concerns about selling assets from the Jackson music catalogue, acknowledging that executors had the power to do so. Notably, she was the only family member and beneficiary of the trust to formally oppose the sale.
An attorney for Katherine Jackson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
"We conclude that the provisions are not inconsistent: Read together, they give the executors wide-ranging powers to manage estate property while the estate remains in probate, and they provide for the transfer of all estate property to the trust when the probate action is concluded," the court's opinion stated.
"The proposed transaction is consistent with the terms of Michael's will as so interpreted, and thus the probate court did not abuse its discretion by granting the executors' petition."
In February, Sony Music Group finalised a deal to acquire half of Michael Jackson's music publishing rights, including the masters, for a minimum of £480 million, according to industry publication Billboard.
This decision concludes a legal battle that began when Katherine Jackson objected to the sale. The appeals court ruling confirms the executors' authority to proceed with the sale, which is expected to significantly benefit the Michael Jackson estate.
