Katherine Jackson had contested the sale, arguing that it violated her son's wishes and that the catalog's value could appreciate further over time
The late pop star's song collection was approved for sale to Sony Music for more than $600 million by a California appeals court, delivering Michael Jackson's estate with a substantial legal win. The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, authorizes estate executors John Branca and John McClain to proceed with the transaction, despite objections from Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson.
Katherine Jackson had contested the sale, arguing that it violated her son's wishes and that the catalog's value could appreciate further over time. However, the court ruled that the executors were acting within their legal rights as granted by Michael Jackson's will, which gave them broad authority to manage and sell estate assets. The ruling also addressed procedural issues, noting that Katherine had forfeited certain arguments by not raising them in the lower probate court. Despite her objections, the court concluded that the sale was a strategic transaction and would not negatively impact the estate's value or future asset transfers.
The legal dispute has underscored tensions among Jackson's heirs, with his son Blanket initially intervening to prevent Katherine from using estate funds to challenge the deal. With this court approval, the high-value transaction between the Michael Jackson estate and Sony Music can now proceed, marking a pivotal moment in the management of the iconic artist's legacy.
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