He should not buy any more art... his artistic taste is very elaborate... too elaborate!!! He needs to concentrate on a new good album. Read on...

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Jackson Paints Legal Settlement
Wed May 21, 1:25 PM ET

By Julie Keller

Michael Jackson's head is off the auction block--the popster and Sotheby's auction house have settled their case over $1.4 million in unpaid art.

Jackson had purchased two 19th-century paintings at auction last year through his Los Angeles-based company MJJ Productions, but refused to pay his bill. He decided the paintings by French artist William Bouguereau--one of Cupid pulling a thorn from his foot and the other a portrait of a woman, child and a sheep--no longer fit into his collection. (Apparently they clashed with all those Peter Pan statues.)

Sotheby's, though, was not sold on his excuse and took the singer to court, insisting he pay up. They asked a Manhattan federal judge to award them $1,324,247 for the paintings and at least $60,733 in late fees.

But the case was taken off the docket Tuesday in New York after the two sides hammered out a deal. Diana Phillips, Sotheby's senior vice president, told Reuters the case had been resolved amicably. Both sides have decided to keep the terms of the deal under wraps.

With the Sotheby's mess is behind him, the Gloved One can turn his attention to other pressing matters.

He's currently embroiled in a lawsuit with his old record company Motown Records. He claims he is owed big bucks in royalties from Jackson 5 classics and early solo releases for the label.

Jacko might need the money. Aside from the Sotheby's deal, there was the $5.3 million he was ordered to cough up after balking on two heavily hyped millennium gigs. And he's under the microscope of the tax man in California over his Neverland Ranch. County officials say the money-saving designation of the amusement park compound as an "agricultural zone" may not be on the up-and-up. For now, an official decision over whether he should pay for an increase in his property taxes has been postponed.

Combined with a miserable performance of his failed comeback album Invincible and a Vanity Fair report that said he was in the hole for millions of dollars thanks to decades of frivolous spending (did we mention the Peter Pan statues?), legal bills and waning album sales, many in the music biz believe his bank account is seriously hurting.

For his part, he claims this money business is bunk and says he is still worth "hundreds of millions."

Between his legal problems and his ongoing PR nightmares, even some of his loyal fans seem pretty much fed up with the one-time megastar.

"Enough Wacko Jacko," said one post on a Yahoo message board. "Will it ever stop?" asked another.

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Your thoughts?



(edited for additional news)
[This message was edited Thu May 22 7:44:38 PDT 2003 by June7]

if He as done as the Media leads on than why aren't they asking about Usher? why aren't they following Eminem Around daily&Nightly? why aren't they pushing up on Nelly&Others?? the Bottom line is that MJ still generates Interest.I believe He still has a Knock Out Album or two in Him but He has to be directed Properly.everything else outside of the Industry that doesn't concearn His Family&Friends is pure HollyWood Window Dressing.

(sigh) nothing ever changes in Michael's world.It makes you wonder...is he EVER gonna get it together?? Or is this the way he's gonna go out?

DavidEye said:

like Me you want Him to Be back on top&He will.this is just a side show don't worry.

mistermaxxx said:

Unfortunately the side show seems to be THE SHOW with Mike for the last several years, Maxxx.

Supernova said:

I Agree, but with His Talent you can never count that Cat out.Peace

These folks in the media don't know a thing. Even Forbes has absolutely no idea. When they tried to work ot his fortune last year they added up record sales (incorrectly, only usng USA sales figures) using his royalty rate from 1979 and touring profits (most of which goes to charity anyway), forgetting that he has other forms of income not related to his own music.

Remember he was SUPPOSED to lose the Sony/ATV catalogue in March 2002. 14 months later they seem to have forgotten about that little tirade, one which they were 99.99% certain about.
[This message was edited Wed May 21 23:18:14 PDT 2003 by Ellie]

mistermaxxx said:

Mistermaxxx, you ain't never lied. You can never count out Michael's talent... it's his saving grace. He will one day rule the charts again... he just needs to find his way.

Ellie said:

This is also true. No one really knows what he's worth except Michael and his accountant... and I'm not even sure about the latter.

Michael Jackson Hospitalized Briefly
Thu May 22, 6:30 AM ET Add Entertainment - AP to My Yahoo!


By CHRIS SUNDHEIM, Associated Press Writer

INDIANAPOLIS - Michael Jackson (news) was hospitalized briefly after falling ill on the same day he was scheduled to give a deposition in a copyright lawsuit.


Jackson was hospitalized in Indianapolis on Wednesday for observation and treatment before the deposition began, Brian Oxman, an attorney for the Jackson family, told The Associated Press.


Jackson was released after a couple of hours and boarded a private jet Wednesday evening to return to Los Angeles, Jackson spokesman Stuart Backerman said.


Jackson, 44, "was not feeling well and was feeling weak," Oxman said in a telephone interview. Neither Oxman nor Jackson spokesman Stuart Backerman knew which hospital Jackson was taken to.


"He has, in some occasions in the past, not eaten when he should," Oxman said. "He can become very concerned and nervous at depositions. He doesn't like lawsuits, and it makes him ill to have to cope with litigation that people seem to heap on him."


Jackson arrived in Indianapolis on Tuesday for a deposition in a lawsuit alleging that the Jackson Five used the name of another Gary band and two of their songs without license.


The deposition was to be given in a meeting with attorney Norman Reed, who is representing Gordon Keith, the man who signed the Jackson Five to his Gary-based Steeltown Records in 1967. Keith has said he received no credit for tracks that appeared on a 1996 album, "Pre-History: The Lost Steeltown Recordings."


Robert Meyer, who represents Jackson at the Chicago law firm Swanson Martin & Bell, has declined to comment on the copyright lawsuit.


Keith and musician Elvy Woodard, accuse Michael, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon Jackson with infringing on the trade name Ripples & Waves, which was the name of another Gary band during the 1960s.

June7 said:

It is official, Wacko Jacko is a wimp!

psychodelicide said:

According to LaToya... (when she was in 'exile') the Jacksons all play this game. When they don't wanna perform at a gig, or when they need to avoid the media or the courts, they take ill... it's worked for them this long, it's not gonna change.

If it works, why change it...

that is so sad,
that group should be suing Joseph not the jackson 5 they were kids if they used someone elses name it was Ole Daddy Joe trying to get paid.

Poor Mike I just don't know

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June7 said:

true, it worx...maybe if you're like 9 years old. but this is a grown-assed man. i don't care what kinna clout he got, how big of a superstar he is, he gonna have 2 own up 2 this shit instead of feigning illness.

pitiful...

At least he hasn't written a damn poem about the Moors!

Marrk said:

Marrk said:

Update from MJJF:

Hello all,

I've just spoken to an offical within Michael Jackson's organization and I'm passing this on to the members of MJJF as well as media outlets.

Michael is tremendously upset at the fact that he had to go home because of illness. He's very passionate about his home, Gary Indiana and that he will be back at a later date. Michael feels that what the fans organized was a great gesture and he truly appreciates it.

He is currently recovering from his sudden illness at Neverland Valley Ranch and he truly appreciates all the fans well wishes and support! He will be okay.

There will be no comment on the legal issue with regard to the postponed deposition at this time because we simply do not know.

Thanks everyone,

Trish Brown
President, MJJForum Fan Community


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It wasn't fake. This bullshit lawsuit isn't really enough to cause him doing a runner. His presence and deposition is totally pointless when you think about the actual case.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Amen, I agree with you 100%!

Fuck. I am tired of hearing invincible as a failure. Perhaps it is weak as far as sales r concerned, but it is far 4rom a failure. I bought the damn thing and like some of the songs on it. particularly Butterflies and the Santana duet Whatever Happens. If any1 did not give a shit about commercial success that much, they would c that the album, tho not great, has it's moments. Certainly it is not another Glitter by Mariah. Mayb nothin' up 2 his standards, but it is worth a listen.