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Michael Jackson with Quincy Jones at the 1984 Grammys, where Jackson scooped eight awards. Doug Pizac AP/Press Association Images

Producer Quincy Jones wins €8 million in damages from Michael Jackson's estate

A lawyer representing Jackson’s estate said: “This is a grab for money that Mr Jones isn’t entitled to”.

QUINCY JONES, THE legendary producer behind Michael Jackson’s top hits, has won $9.4 million (€8 million) in damages from the late superstar’s estate over posthumous works.

A jury in Los Angeles sided with the 84-year-old producer but gave him only part of the $30 million (€25.6 million) he was seeking.

Jones has arranged songs for some of the biggest names in music including Jackson, producing Thriller in 1982 which remains the top-selling album of all time.

The producer filed suit over the use of songs in This Is It – a 2009 documentary about Jackson’s rehearsals for a series of concerts in London that ultimately were never to be due to the star’s sudden death – as well as two Cirque du Soleil circus shows.

Jackson sued MJJ Productions Inc., one of the companies that runs the late King of Pop’s estate, in 2013.

Jones said he had no quarrel with Jackson personally but that he had reached contracts in 1978 and 1985 that gave him first priority to Jackson’s music, including maintaining the right to be the first to mix original recordings.

“Although this judgment is not the full amount that I was seeking, I am very grateful that the jury decided in our favour in this matter,” Jones said in a statement.

“I view it not only as a victory for myself personally, but for artists’ rights overall,” he said.

Defense lawyer Zia Modabber had rejected Jones’ arguments, saying that the original recordings belonged to Jackson alone.

“This is a grab for money that Mr Jones isn’t entitled to,” Modabber said.

Another lawyer for MJJ Productions, Howard Weitzman, earlier told music magazine Billboard that the estate would likely appeal if Jones won a major sum.

Jackson’s estate has been trying to monetise his legacy since his death but its success has been uneven, with the family notably giving up on preserving the late King of Pop’s Neverland ranch.

© – AFP, 2017

Read: Sky has pulled the Michael Jackson programme after complaints

Read: The man who wrote ‘Thriller’ (and many more) has died

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    Mute Dingleberrycity
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    Jul 27th 2017, 8:37 AM

    ABBA was right… Money, Money, Money

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    Mute Grumpyoldtroll
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    Jul 27th 2017, 8:40 AM

    @Dingleberrycity: Well, don’t stop till ye get enough.

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    Mute Minom Pnom
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    Jul 27th 2017, 11:32 AM

    Where’s there’s money there’s lawyers trying to get some

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    Mute kieran kelly
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    Jul 27th 2017, 9:19 AM

    Who cares

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    Mute Quentin Moriarty
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    Jul 27th 2017, 8:44 AM

    Hits on this soundtrack for the new movie Jonesie Jackson Jive based on the court battle include

    Leave me alone
    Wanna be startin something
    Beat it
    Bad
    Human Nature
    One day in your life

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    Mute Sean Griffin
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    Jul 27th 2017, 10:31 AM

    Kieran Kelly. Quincy Jones cares

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