Michael Jackson Estate Wins Appeal Over HBO Doc ‘Leaving Neverland’
On Monday (Dec. 14), the Michael Jackson estate won its arbitration appeal over the HBO doc ‘Leaving Neverland.’ As we previously reported in February 2019, the legend’s estate sued HBO for $100 million, arguing that the documentary, which focuses on allegations that Jackson had sexually abused children, broke a 27-year-old confidentially clause from 1992’s ‘Dangerous‘ concert film.
Responding to the suit, HBO claimed the clause was irrelevant and that the estate was attempting to silence victims of sexual abuse. Subsequently, the estate filed a motion, which was granted, to take the dispute to arbitration. HBO appealed, but as of yesterday, the lower court’s ruling upheld the estate’s wishes.
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The panel ruled, “The contract contained a broad arbitration clause that covers claims that HBO disparaged Jackson in violation of ongoing confidentiality obligations. We may only identify whether the parties agreed to arbitrate such claims; it is for the arbitrator to decide whether those claims are meritorious.” They added, “An arbitration clause can still bind the parties, even if the parties fully performed the contract years ago. The trial judge and now the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals have unanimously rejected HBO’s arguments. In the court’s own words, HBO ‘agreed that it would not make any disparaging remarks concerning Jackson.’ It’s time for HBO to answer for its violation of its obligations to Michael Jackson.”
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