The Michael Jackson Accountability Network
February 27, 2011
Fans Call for an End to the Exploitation of Michael Jackson’s Children. The Fans are Watching!
By
mjanwatch
Fans Call for an End to the Exploitation of Michael Jackson’s Children. The Fans are Watching!
We at M.J.A.N. (the Michael Jackson Accountability Network) and many of Michael Jackson’s supporters and fans are calling for an end to what is felt to be the exploitation of his children for the financial gain of the Jackson family. As revealed on the Good Morning America (GMA) program on February 25, 2011, Mrs. Jackson has involved her grandchildren with two questionable enterprises that are subject to ongoing lawsuits by the Jackson Estate. The lawsuits are against Howard Mann and his company “Vintage Pop,” and against the Heal the World Foundation, originated by Melissa Johnson. This would seem to place the children in direct opposition to the estate charged with managing their own financial interests.
On the GMA program, Michael Jackson’s children, Prince, Paris, and “Blanket,” were seen wearing Heal the World Foundation t-shirts, and giving a donation to the L.A. Family Transitional Center. The donation was said to come from “Vintage Pop” (Mrs. Jackson and Mann’s joint venture to market Michael Jackson products), and the Heal the World Foundation.
The lawsuit against Howard Mann was filed with the Central District California Federal Court, and alleges: “copyright infringement, false designation of origin, false endorsement, cyber-squatting, cyber piracy, misappropriation of likeness, declaratory relief, unfair competition and accounting.”
The Heal the World Foundation, originated by Melissa Johnson, is also subject to a lawsuit that includes copyright infringement, among other allegations. This foundation has no connection to Michael Jackson’s Heal the World charity, which was discontinued in 2002.
Despite the fact that Mann has a background in pornography, and that there is an ongoing lawsuit against him, the children were apparently required to appear on the program to promote Mann’s enterprises, and those of the Heal the World Foundation. Given that they are minor children, it is doubtful that they had any choice about appearing for this interview. The children were clearly uncomfortable, and particularly so when interviewer, Robin Roberts, referred to them as “normal” (as if it was expected that they would not be “normal?”).
In the two lawsuits, the estate asserts that it is the sole-owner of Michael’s “brand name.” Therefore, any sales of products by anyone OTHER than the estate, have the potential of harming the children financially. It seems now that the children are being asked/required to participate in something that is ultimately not in their best interests. If they want to support a charity, there are many other charities their father supported. In a signed statement, Katherine and Joseph Jackson give the impression that this is the same charity that Michael founded – but as the Estate’s lawsuit alleges, it is not. (
http://www.teammichaeljackson.com/tmj_027.htm)
The association of the children with the Heal the World Foundation is profoundly troubling on a number of levels. There are questions about the legitimacy of the charity, its use of the Michael Jackson “brand,” and as the lawsuit alleges (
http://www.rosespeaks.com/downloads/Jackson/world/2-18-10-MOTION-Preliminary-Injunction.pdf), its founder, Melissa Johnson, has had a history of stalking Michael Jackson and was considered to be a “threat” to his safety. Many Michael Jackson fans and supporters, including those at M.J.A.N., are deeply concerned that Mrs. Jackson would choose to bring her grandchildren into contact with Johnson.
It is no secret what Michael Jackson would have wanted for his three children, as they grow toward adulthood. Despite his celebrity, he was extremely careful to shield them from the public eye and to allow them the time and space to enjoy something he never had – a childhood. It seems clear that their appearance on the GMA show is yet another attempt by Mrs. Jackson for financial gain through the marketing of her son’s children.
It is feared that the same public scrutiny and media damage once endured by Michael Jackson, now will plague his children, as well, despite his best efforts to shield them from such abuses. Many fans and Jackson supporters believe that the California Department of Children and Family Services should investigate the use of these children to promote business-ventures that are currently the subjects of lawsuits. It is possible that the children will be emotionally damaged when they discover that the Heal the World charity is not one sanctioned by the Jackson estate.
Michael Jackson’s intentions for his children were clear, and this is NOT it. It is hoped that the executors of the Jackson estate, and/or California D.C.F.S., will take action to see that exploitation of these children does not occur in the future. Many of Michael’s fans and supporters, including those at M.J.A.N., are outraged, and are putting the Jackson family on notice about potential exploitations of Prince, Paris, and Blanket. There is something terribly wrong with this picture, and
we ARE watching you.
http://mjanwatch.wor...s-are-watching/
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