Sunday, 27 October 2013

Music mogul Quincy Jones sues Michael Jackson's estate for millions of dollars in unpaid royalties

Quincy Jones not only produced some of Michael Jackson's biggest hits but was also a close friend and confidante.
Yet just a few years after the superstar's death, the legendary music producer has been forced to sue his former friend's estate claiming he is owed millions in unpaid royalties and production fees.
On Frida,y Jones filed a lawsuit against Michael Jackson Productions and Sony Music Entertainment seeking at least $10 million dollars in compensation.
Music legend: Quincy Jones speaks at a memorial service for his former friend Michael Jackson in Los Angeles in 2012
Music legend: Quincy Jones speaks at a memorial service for his former friend Michael Jackson in Los Angeles in 2012

The lawsuit claims that both the companies acted improperly in re-editing songs which were then used in the film 'This Is It' and a pair of Cirque du Soleil shows based
on the King of Pop's songs.
The 80-year-old music mogul also claims he should have received a producer's credit on the music in 'This Is It' and in his lawsuit seeks an accounting of the estate's profits from the works so he can determine how much he is owed.
The lawsuit represents a sad turn of events given Jones's integral role in Jackson's career.
Back in the day: Superstar Michael Jackson performing at the 3rd Annual Bet Awards at the Kodak Theatre in June 2003
Back in the day: Superstar Michael Jackson performing at the 3rd Annual Bet Awards at the Kodak Theatre in June 2003

The producer worked with Jackson on three of his most popular and successful solo albums - Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad.
And Jackson's hits Billie Jean, Thriller and Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough are amongst the songs the award winning producer claims were re-edited to deprive him of royalties and producer fees.
Jackson's estate wrote in a statement that it was saddened by Jones's lawsuit saying, 'To the best of its knowledge, Mr Jones has been appropriately compensated over approximately 35 years for his work with Michael.'
Sony Music who is a co-defendant in the lawsuit has yet to comment on the litigation.
Old friends: The music producer was friends with Michael Jackson from the outset of his career and produced a lot of his hit songs
Old friends: The music producer was friends with Michael Jackson from the outset of his career and produced a lot of his hit songs

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