The Jackson Estate and John Landis Settle Thriller Dispute
The Hollywood Reporter
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/michael-jackson-estate-settles-dispute-367206
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Say what you will about Michael Jackson, Thriller is arguably one of the single greatest music videos of all time. Sadly, due to disputes between the Jackson Estate and director John Landis, all that’s available now are crappy standard definition versions of it here and there.
Thankfully this fact may finally change…
According to The Hollywood Reporter the estate of Michael Jackson has put the finishing touches on a deal with director John Landis and producer George Folsey, Jr., that resolves litigation concerning net profits on the late singer’s Thriller video as well as a fight over a previously planned musical theater production of the hit song/video.
In January 2009, Landis and Folsey sued Jackson and his company, Optimum Productions, claiming they were still owed money for work on the 14-minute video. Then Jackson died in June of that year, prompting anyone with a debt to file a claim on his estate. Hundreds of claims were made, including from Landis and Folsey, who alleged that $2.3 million was owed.
Most of those claims have been resolved. In July the estate told a Los Angeles Superior Court that it had made enough money to pay off the estimated $500 million of debt that Jackson left when he died.
As part of Jackson’s litigation with Landis, the director also asserted that he owned at least 50 percent of the “separated rights” to the Thriller video, which he said entitled him to “dramatic rights” derivations like stage adaptations.
That being said… Blu-ray anyone?
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