Autumn II
Proud Member
Re: MJJC Official Statement about Michael Forever Tribute / Tribute discussion / Estate statement @p
Here's my take on this. The Jackson family seems unable to comprehend that they do NOT have the right to use Michael's "name, image, music, writings, or logos," for marketing. . ANYTHING. Or, they DO comprehend, and are hoping that the Estate will not "go after" Katherine, as Michael's MOTHER? Therefore, she's out-in-front with all these new ventures.
Michael was a human-being, with a family and friends. He was also a CORPORATION. That's just how it is. The parents and siblings have as theirs, their past relationships with Michael, and their memories. They do NOT have "the products," unless there are some things he clearly gave to them as gifts when he was alive.
The will states that Katherine will be well taken-care-of "for the rest of her life." She is not young. When she dies, her portion of the estate reverts back to the children. She receives a stipend, but will be unable to give any of the estate to her other children in a will. Not at all. It's not hers to give. Therefore, the Jacksons are trying to get as much income as they can from Michael's name, while Katherine is still living. When she is NOT alive anymore, they lose all access. I'd expect this puts enormous pressure on Michael's three children-- brainwashing? Strong suggestions? -- to CONTINUE to take care of the entire family, as an "obligation." They actually have NO such "obligation."
The Estate is charged with growing the money, and preserving it for Michael's CHILDREN. In that sense, Estate and children are on the same page. The more money the executors make for the estate, the more money THEY make, as individuals. They get a percentage of each transaction, and the money gained is HUGE! Also, the more money the children gather in. So, it is in the Estate's best interests to stamp out conflicting money-making schemes. Yet, they are constrained by not wanting to land too hard. . . on KATHERINE.
When Michael was a child, he was essentially "owned" by his parents, i.e. lost his childhood while all of them gained enormous wealth. For a long time, his father was also his "manager," and who knows what kind of salary he paid HIMSELF? As an adult, Michael broke with the "family business," and forged an amazing career. The family does not OWN him anymore, as a "money-making asset." The only family member who even comes close, is Janet. But, Janet is not the cultural icon that her brother was/is. It was Michael's incredible charisma that propelled the J-5 to super-stardom. Without Michael, it's doubtful the group would have been successful. And now, NONE of the siblings, except Janet have any sort of viable career, at all.
Which brings us to the present. The money-train ENDS with Katherine. Any money she passes to the other siblings comes from her stipend. But there must be PRESSURE to get as much as possible, while the getting is good, i.e. OTHER money-making ventures. The fan pressure about the Tribute concert surely contributed to the forcefulness of the Estate's response. NOBODY seems to want this concert, except the Jackson siblings (most of them). The Estate seems to have been, so far, holding back somewhat in shutting down ALL of these schemes out of respect for Katherine. Their letter was FORCEFUL, and to the point. I think their patience with her, and the rest of the family, may be at an end. I HOPE SO!
The Estate is ultimately for Michael's CHILDREN! That is how it was set up. Anything the children give to the rest of the family, will be their choice, at their discretion. Michael INTENTIONALLY did not include any other family members in the will!
The Estate's letter was a GOOD thing, for the Executors, for the fans, and for the CHILDREN!
Here's my take on this. The Jackson family seems unable to comprehend that they do NOT have the right to use Michael's "name, image, music, writings, or logos," for marketing. . ANYTHING. Or, they DO comprehend, and are hoping that the Estate will not "go after" Katherine, as Michael's MOTHER? Therefore, she's out-in-front with all these new ventures.
Michael was a human-being, with a family and friends. He was also a CORPORATION. That's just how it is. The parents and siblings have as theirs, their past relationships with Michael, and their memories. They do NOT have "the products," unless there are some things he clearly gave to them as gifts when he was alive.
The will states that Katherine will be well taken-care-of "for the rest of her life." She is not young. When she dies, her portion of the estate reverts back to the children. She receives a stipend, but will be unable to give any of the estate to her other children in a will. Not at all. It's not hers to give. Therefore, the Jacksons are trying to get as much income as they can from Michael's name, while Katherine is still living. When she is NOT alive anymore, they lose all access. I'd expect this puts enormous pressure on Michael's three children-- brainwashing? Strong suggestions? -- to CONTINUE to take care of the entire family, as an "obligation." They actually have NO such "obligation."
The Estate is charged with growing the money, and preserving it for Michael's CHILDREN. In that sense, Estate and children are on the same page. The more money the executors make for the estate, the more money THEY make, as individuals. They get a percentage of each transaction, and the money gained is HUGE! Also, the more money the children gather in. So, it is in the Estate's best interests to stamp out conflicting money-making schemes. Yet, they are constrained by not wanting to land too hard. . . on KATHERINE.
When Michael was a child, he was essentially "owned" by his parents, i.e. lost his childhood while all of them gained enormous wealth. For a long time, his father was also his "manager," and who knows what kind of salary he paid HIMSELF? As an adult, Michael broke with the "family business," and forged an amazing career. The family does not OWN him anymore, as a "money-making asset." The only family member who even comes close, is Janet. But, Janet is not the cultural icon that her brother was/is. It was Michael's incredible charisma that propelled the J-5 to super-stardom. Without Michael, it's doubtful the group would have been successful. And now, NONE of the siblings, except Janet have any sort of viable career, at all.
Which brings us to the present. The money-train ENDS with Katherine. Any money she passes to the other siblings comes from her stipend. But there must be PRESSURE to get as much as possible, while the getting is good, i.e. OTHER money-making ventures. The fan pressure about the Tribute concert surely contributed to the forcefulness of the Estate's response. NOBODY seems to want this concert, except the Jackson siblings (most of them). The Estate seems to have been, so far, holding back somewhat in shutting down ALL of these schemes out of respect for Katherine. Their letter was FORCEFUL, and to the point. I think their patience with her, and the rest of the family, may be at an end. I HOPE SO!
The Estate is ultimately for Michael's CHILDREN! That is how it was set up. Anything the children give to the rest of the family, will be their choice, at their discretion. Michael INTENTIONALLY did not include any other family members in the will!
The Estate's letter was a GOOD thing, for the Executors, for the fans, and for the CHILDREN!
