Jackson’s estate sues charity claiming MJ connection

WASHINGTON - A charity seeking trademarks on many Michael Jackson-related words and phrases and claiming a connection with the late pop star has been sued by his estate, after its dealings were brought to light by an American TV network.

CBS News exposed the Heal the World Foundation based at Palm Desert, California on August 11, and questioned the charity’s connection to Jackson.

The Jackson estate has now filed a lawsuit against Melissa Johnson who runs the Heal the World Foundation for “unlawfully seeking trademarks using the name ‘Michael Jackson’,” reports CBS News.

Johnson has also filed applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark the phrases “King of Pop”, “Thriller”, “Neverland” and 38 others.
The Special Administrator of Jackson’s estate John G. Branca issued a press statement to clarify their position.

He said the estate wanted “to be vigilant in protecting Michael’s legacy from unauthorized exploitation and in protecting Michael’s fans from being deceived.”

According to the lawsuit filed by the estate, the charity’s actions have confused people and organisations wishing to obtain a license to use Jackson’s name.

The complaint claims that “when one of the largest toy manufacturers wished to obtain a license to produce and distribute toys bearing Michael Jackson’s trademarks…this toy manufacturer approached [the Heal the World Foundation].”

The charity has kept mum on the issue until now.

However, its website says: “Before Mr. Jackson’s passing we were in the process of setting up the initiatives for a future launch which was to be with Mr. Jackson’s direct involvement.”

But the Jackson estate has rubbished the claims of the charity and said Michael Jackson’s original “Heal the World Foundation” formed in 1992 “had no connection to the defendants and, in fact, became dormant before he died.” (ANI)