U.S.

Michael Jackson's Estate Is Suing ABC For Copyright Infringement

The suit says an ABC special about Jackson used "at least 30 different copyrighted works" without permission.

Michael Jackson's Estate Is Suing ABC For Copyright Infringement
Getty Images
SMS

Michael Jackson's estate filed a copyright infringement suit against The Walt Disney Company and ABC on Wednesday.

The suit claims ABC used Jackson's music and videos in a TV special about the pop singer last week without permission.

The complaint says the two-hour show titled "The Last Days of Michael Jackson" used "at least 30 different copyrighted works." It called the extent of the use "truly astounding."

A lawyer for Jackson's estate said it sent Disney and ABC's lawyers "several cautionary letters" objecting to the use of the music before the special aired. But the lawsuit says a spokesperson for Disney told the estate that because the special was a documentary, Jackson's songs were "fair use." 

The estate called that idea "absurd." An ABC spokesperson said Wednesday the company hadn't yet reviewed the complaint.