Quincy Jones’ 2017 $9.4 Million Victory Against Michael Jackson Estate Reversed in Appeals Court Decision

Quincy Jones won $9.4 million in a 2017 court victory over Michael Jackson’s estate over unreceived royalties for his work on Off the WallThrillerBad, the This Is It soundtrack, and two Cirque du Soleil shows, as well as the ability the remix that work later on. Now, a California appeals court has reversed the decision, claiming the judge at the time did not accurately comprehend the written contracts, according to Pitchfork.

The Hollywood Reporter noted that the new decision nullifies two large payments that Jones originally received, including $5.3 million in royalties on record sales and licenses and $1.6 million “for fees Jones claims he would have received if [MJJ Productions] had given him the right of first opportunity to remix Jackson’s master recordings.”

Howard Weitzman, one of the lawyers of Michael Jackson’s estate as well as MJJ Productions, released a brief statement after the decision: “We knew the verdict was wrong when we heard it, and the court of appeal has completely vindicated us.” Neither Jones nor anyone on his legal team have released any statements as of yet.

Drew Feinerman: I have just completed my senior at the University of Michigan majoring in international studies with an emphasis in political economics and development, with a minor in Chinese language and culture, and I have recently been accepted into the Berklee School of Music's masters of music business program. Although my academic interests include economics, political science, and history, I consider music to be my one true passion. Music is, and has always been, a driving force for the way I think and act every day of my life. I have been playing the tenor saxophone since the age of ten, and playing an instrument at a high level has allowed me to only further my understanding and appreciation for music. While I grew up listening to predominantly classic rock, I soon found myself gravitating toward jazz, hip-hop, funk, and other genres, as my learned to both play and analyze music as a listener. As a writer, I am able to apply my skills both as a musician and a listener, and look forward to the opportunity to being able to express my thoughts on various stories in the music industry.
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