Jackson websites shut down for violating copyright
Updated: 2012-08-13 09:38
(Reuters)
|
|||||||||||
Michael Jackson's daughter Paris (L) and mother Katherine attend a ceremony where the singer is immortalized by placing hand and foot imprints in cement in the courtyard of Hollywood's Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on January 26, 2012.[Photo/Agencies] |
A Canadian memorabilia dealer who worked with Michael Jackson's mother on a tribute book, and whose websites used the singer's image and music, violated copyrights held by Jackson's estate, a judge ruled on Friday.
A federal judge in Los Angeles granted an injunction blocking entrepreneur Howard Mann from using the websites "michaeljacksonsecretvault.com" and "MJgives.com" and other similar domain names, saying he had infringed the dead singer's intellectual property.
Related readings: |
"There is undisputed evidence that (Mann) intended in bad faith to profit from use of Jackson's name, by registering multiple domain names containing his name or the initials 'MJ' to sell Jackson-related products," US District Judge Dean Pregerson wrote in his ruling.
The executors of Jackson's estate filed the case against Mann in January 2011, 18 months after the "Thriller" singer's sudden death in Los Angeles from an overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol.
The estate holds the copyright to Jackson's image and music for the benefit of the singer's mother Katherine and his three children.
Judge Pregerson sided with executors, who claimed that the websites run by Mann used copyright protected clips of Jackson's song "Destiny", a logo featuring the self-styled "King of Pop" and art from the posthumous concert movie "This Is It".
Mann has worked with Katherine Jackson on several projects since 2009, including a 2010 "Never Can Say Goodbye" coffee table book featuring recollections of her son, as well as a DVD and calendar featuring what were described as never before seen photos and video.
All were sold through the "secretvault" website. Mann claimed he obtained the rights to the material at a bankruptcy sale involving members of Jackson's family several years ago.
The "www.michaeljacksonsecretvault.com" site failed to load on Friday and Mann could not immediately be reached for comment.
Howard Weitzman, a lawyer for Jackson's Estate, said a court date set for September 4 will involve "how much in damages the Michael Jackson Estate is entitled to collect from Mann and his various entities."
The two executors, John McClain and John Branca, said in a statement they were "extremely pleased" with the Court's ruling which will prevents Mann from "continuing to unlawfully profit from Michael Jackson and his intellectual property."
Related Stories
Michael Jackson chimp warned him about family 2012-08-10 15:31
Jackson siblings deny money at root of family dispute 2012-08-04 13:56
Jackson's mom cut off from world in mystery Arizona stay 2012-08-03 09:03
Randy Jackson's mother furious with him 2012-07-31 10:30
Michael Jackson's children watch Unity tour 2012-07-31 10:18
Prince Michael Jackson: I will continue with the truth 2012-07-27 13:16
Today's Top News
President Xi confident in recovery from quake
H7N9 update: 104 cases, 21 deaths
Telecom workers restore links
Coal mine blast kills 18 in Jilin
Intl scholarship puts China on the map
More bird flu patients discharged
Gold loses sheen, but still a safe bet
US 'turns blind eye to human rights'
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
All-out efforts to save lives |
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Poultry industry under pressure |
'Spring' in the air for NGOs? |
Boy set to drive Chinese golf |
Latest technology gets people talking |