Fallout: Legal battles after MJ “Leaving Neverland”

It’s only beeen a week but the fallout on both sides after the airing of the HBO documentary “Leaving Neverland” that documents the alleged abuse of Wade Robson and James Safechuck continues.

Some radio stations overseas (New Zealand and Canada) are not playing Jackson’s music anymore, he popular MJ Simpsons cartoon episode no longer will air and even rapper Drake will no longer include his hologram.

In 2003 and 2005 during the Jackson molestation trials, both Robson and Safechuck testified under oath that Jackson has never abused them. Four years after Jackson passed, the men all off sudden had a change of heart and tried to sue the Jackson estate for the abuse they allegedly endured for several years from adolescence to teenage years. In 2015, the court ruled the statue of limitations had expired on them suing the estate and in 2017, the court ruled that Jackson’s seperate businesses could not be held separately liable in any abuse that allegedly occurred.

Currently, MJ’s estate is suing HBO. They could not sue for liable or defamation because deceased persons are exempt from this law but they are suing under the non-disparagement clause in a 1992 agreement with Jackson that HBO violated by airing the Leaving Neverland film.

In the agreement, HBO promised that “HBO shall not make any disparaging remarks concerning Performer or any of his representatives, agents, or business practices or do any act that may harm or disparage or cause to lower in esteem the reputation or public image of Performer,’” the lawsuit claims. “Other provisions in the Agreement require HBO to notify and consult with Jackson and Optimum Productions if it wishes to air additional programming about Jackson.”

Instead HBO funded and aired a film that only told one side of a story from two alleged victims that already under oath twice said Jackson never abused them that they knew for certain would irreparably damage Jackson’s reputation and legacy. This is not to say that persons can change their mind but benefit is there in creating a film when the accused is not alive to defend themselves in the court of public opinion or the law? Rest In Peace Michael.

 

 

 

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