Michael Jackson museum not authorised by estate

Joe Jackson in the yard of his former home in Gary, Indiana. Photograph: Paul Warner/WireImage.com

via: Guardian Post UK

There was only one problem with those plans for a Michael Jackson museum, unveiled on Wednesday: they never got the Jackson estate’s permission. The late singer’s estate is denying any connection to the project, which is spearheaded by Michael’s father Joseph and the mayor of Gary, Indiana.

“The estate of Michael Jackson was never consulted about, nor is it involved in, the Jackson family museum being proposed in Gary, Indiana,” explained attorney Howard Weitzman. “Michael Jackson’s music, name, likeness, memorabilia and other intellectual property are assets exclusively owned by the estate for the benefit of his children, his mother during her lifetime, and charities as specified in his will. These properties cannot be exploited legally without written authorisation from [us].”

This news will come as a surprise to the government of Gary, which recently approved a 300-acre land transfer for the development. At Wednesday’s conference in Gary, the King of Pop’s hometown, mayor Rudy Clay said that plans were proceeding with the support of Michael’s mother, Katherine, a principal player in the estate. “This is not [just] a promise,” Clay told the local Post Tribune newspaper. “This is going to be done.”

Without the co-operation of Jackson’s estate, overseen by lawyers John Branca and John McClain, that doesn’t seem likely. “The city has worked under the impression that the Jackson Family is the direct line of contact with the estate and those individuals running the estate,” said city counsel Susan Severtson. Asked by reporters, the mayor claimed that in 2003, Michael himself had expressed interest in building a performing arts centre in Gary. “Today the dream is going to come true,” he said.

Unfortunately, this may not just be a problem of communication – the city of Gary may be in direct conflict with the Jackson estate’s plans. According to Weitzman, Branca and McClain are already considering a “world-class museum that include memorabilia, music and other intellectual properties”. Though the site “[has] yet to be determined”, Indiana may not be at the top of the list.