MJ estate sues "Heal the World"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090930/ap_en_mu/us_michael_jackson_foundation_lawsuit



Jackson estate sues foundation over name







AP – FILE - In this March 17, 2005 file photo, pop star Michael Jackson arrives at the Santa Barbara County …


By ANTHONY McCARTNEY, AP Entertainment Writer Anthony Mccartney, Ap Entertainment Writer

–
1 hr 48 mins ago

LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson's estate on Tuesday sued a foundation that bears the name of one of his most famous songs, "Heal the World."
The
federal court lawsuit claims the Heal the World Foundation is
improperly using trademarks and Web sites to create the impression they
were approved by Jackson to solicit donations.
The current administrators of Jackson's estate — attorney John Branca
and music executive John McClain — have a probate court's authority to
protect Jackson's image and likeness and prevent sales of unauthorized
merchandise. They have negotiated deals for official Jackson
merchandise, including a coffee table book, trading cards and calendars.
The lawsuit claims the Heal the World Foundation had no relationship with Jackson or his family.
After-hours phone messages left for the foundation and an attorney were not immediately returned.
The
suit claims Jackson created a charity based on his hit "Heal the World"
in 1992, but it dissolved a decade later. "Defendants' acts of
infringement and unfair competition have been committed with the intent
to cause confusion, mistake and to deceive," the lawsuit claims.
The
current Heal the World Foundation was formed in 2008 and trademarked
its name. The lawsuit claims the foundation has sought trademarks for
terms associated with Jackson, such as "Thriller," "Neverland" and "King of Pop."
Jackson's estate has applied for trademarks of similar terms.
The
foundation's Web site includes photos of Jackson and describes itself
as a "universal charity organization designed to improve the condition
of all mankind."
In August, the foundation filed a notice of its intent to use Jackson's name and sell merchandise in the singer's estate case.
The lawsuit claims trademark infringement
and unfair competition, and seeks a cancellation of a trademark for
Jackson's initials that the foundation has already received.

http://www.tmz.com/2009/09/29/michael-jackson-heal-the-world-foundation-lawsuit-probate/

Jackson Estate Sues Heal the World


Posted Sep 29th 2009 7:25PM by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson's estate has filed a lawsuit against the Heal the World Foundation.

The Special Administrators, John Branca and John McClain, have alleged in the suit the Foundation is using Jackson's name and likeness without permission.

According
to the lawsuit the Foundation and other related entities have
registered 6 trademarks and have applied with 41 additional ones, all
suggesting a connection to Jackson.

The legal papers acknowledge Jackson founded his own Heal the World Foundation in 1992 but it has no connection to the defendants.

The
suit alleges the defendants cybersquatted various domain names,
including "mjaid.net," "healthworldfoundation.net," and "mjquotes.net."
Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2009/09/29/michael-jackson-heal-the-world-foundation-lawsuit-probate/#ixzz0SakQfX6B

There will be done everything to keep MJ constantly in the news....

this is ridiculous - Michael loves Heal The World - why on earth would he have dedicated so much time, energy and money to help the charity? and now they are claiming MJ estate's suing the group??? don't believe it..

Hmmmm there may be SOME truth here that they are misrepresenting. I am on the HTW site-the ONLY real site for HTW that there is healtheworld.us. Melisa Johnson has their whole story on there and how they have fought to keep the charity alive and how involved Michael was or was not allowed to be. She is doing all she can to keep it alive and has warned fans to not respond to any emails or offers sent out with HTW in its name because they were solicitations. I don't know what is going to happen to them now-I really did not expect one of the Jacksons to take it over.

OMG!! Is this for real?

I just got on the HTW site and it keeps freezing -they have not posted anything of this news. I have a Q and A posted here in the thread "Perspective from Heal the World. I think this news ad (if it is a real happening) may be from one of the fake HTWs and TMZ just is not reporting it correctly.