The makers of a Michael Jackson documentary are seeking an injunction against the late star’s estate.
Noval Williams Films have filed documents in Manhattan Supreme Court after the estate tried to block the sale and release of ‘Michael Jackson: The Last Photo Shoot’ with a cease-and-desist order over the use of footage in the film.
The estate had claimed the company do not have rights to use behind-the-scenes photos and videos of Jackson’s 2007 cover shoots for Ebony and L’Uomo Vogue, but Noval Williams insisted in a previous lawsuit they do own the rights and the legal motion against them has impeded the sale of the documentary.
A new injunction would require the estate to respond within 21 days to help speed up the process.
A lawyer acting for the estate insists "private moments" of the ‘Thriller’ singer – who died of acute Propofol intoxication in June 2009 – are being exploited in the documentary.
Lawyer Howard Weitzman said: "The makers of the documentary are attempting to exploit footage and photographs of [Michael], which we believe are owned by his estate. The documentary contains . . . private moments that he never agreed could be publicly and commercially exploited without his consent and/or involvement."
It is believed the Jackson family were offered the chance to purchase the rights to the video but passed up the opportunity before the director decided to buy the footage in May last year.
Michael Jackson documentary in fresh legal row
