Jackson sues over Motown rereleases
Michael Jackson is suing Universal Music Group, claiming the world’s biggest record company owes him royalties for the re-release of songs he made in the 1970s.
The lawsuit accuses the company of violating a 1980 agreement to pay Jackson royalties from recordings he made with the Jackson 5 and as a solo artist from 1969 to 1976 for Motown Records, which was bought by Universal Music Group.
Universal Music Group spokesman Bob Bernstein declined to comment.
According to the lawsuit filed at the Los Angeles Superior Court, Jackson reached a settlement with Motown Records in 1980 that forfeited his right to royalties for songs released before that time.
But Motown was to pay Jackson royalties for previously unreleased material and songs re-released on best-of compilations, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit seeks the payment of royalties owed and unspecified damages.
Jackson also wants the 1980 settlement to be cancelled and seeks ownership of his Motown master recordings.
