Kathrine Jackson und Howard Mann: Die ganze Geschichte

Judge: Michael Jackson's mother can't profit from merchandise line
Richter: Michael Jackson`s Mutter kann nicht von Merchandaise-Linie profitieren

August 10, 2012 | 1:44 pm

A federal judge rejected a novel legal argument Friday that would have allowed Michael Jackson's mother and her business partner to profit from a line of merchandise separate from the late star's estate.

In a 15-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Dean D. Pregerson granted summary judgment in a copyright-infringement case brought by the executors of Jackson's estate and issued a permanent injunction barring Canadian entrepreneur Howard Mann from trading on the singer's name.
In einem 25-seitigen Urteil hat der U.S. District-Richter Pregerson ein zusammenfassendes Urteil in einem Fall wegen Copyright-Verletzungen eingebracht vom MJ-Estate gefällt und eine dauerhafte Verfügung verhängt, die den canad. Unternehmer H. Mann den Handel mit Namen des Sängers untersagt.

"There is undisputed evidence that Defendants intended in bad faith to profit from use of Jackson’s name, by registering multiple domain names containing his name or the initials 'MJ' to sell Jackson-related products," the judge wrote.
"Es gibt unbestritten Beweise dafür, dass die Beklagten in böser Absicht auf Profit durch die Verwendung von Jacksons Namen aus waren, durch die Registrierung mehrerer Domain-Namen, die seinen Namen oder den Initialen" MJ " um Jackson-bezogenen Produkte zu verkaufen", schrieb der Richter.

Mann and Jackson's mother, Katherine, collaborated on a coffee table book and calendar that were sold without the estate's authorization. The 82-year-old Jackson family matriarch received a cut of the profits and other money amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars, Mann told The Times in 2010. Katherine Jackson said then that she needed the money and wanted estate executors John Branca and John McClain to "leave Howard alone."

Mann und Jacksons Mutter Katherine haben gemeinsam an einem Bildband und Kalender collaboriert die ohne Genehmigung des Estates verkauft wurden. Die 82-jährige Jackson-Familie Matriarchin erhielt einen Anteil an den Gewinnen und anderes Geld in Höhe von Hunderten von Tausenden von Dollar, sagte Manns der Times im Jahr 2010. Katherine Jackson sagte dann, dass sie das Geld brauche und wollte das die Nachlassverwalter John Branca und John McClain "Howard in Ruhe lassen."

Mann's lawyers had argued in court papers that his company, Vintage Pop, was forever immunized against lawsuits accusing it of exploiting Michael Jackson's intellectual property because of a ruling in a 2004 suit by the singer. Jackson had sued Vintage Pop for copyright infringement and other claims, but then refused to submit to a deposition and stopped paying his lawyers. A judge dismissed the case in 2006 "with prejudice" -- meaning Jackson couldn't bring the same claims against Vintage Pop again.

But in his ruling Pregerson wrote that the executors could sue Vintage Pop if their allegations were completely different than the ones Jackson made in the abandoned lawsuit.

"(A)ll of the misconduct alleged in this suit took place long after the 2004 action, and the claims from the two suits therefore do not arise from the same transactional nucleus of facts," the judge wrote.

A spokesman for the executors said in a statement that they were "extremely pleased with the Court's ruling," and noted that Michael Jackson's intellectual property is "owned by the late singer's Estate for the benefit of his children and mother."

The relationship between the Jackson family and the estate has been contentious, with three of the star's siblings claiming that the executors derive their power from a fraudulent will.

Mann's lawyers said they wanted to raise questions about the validity of the will at the trial, but estate lawyer Howard Weitzman said in a statement that the judge's ruling means that a planned September proceeding will focus on determining the financial damages sustained by the estate.

Mann did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.co…fit-merchandise-line.html

Kleines udate:

Das Zusammenfassungsurteil deckte bereits 10 der 12 ursprünglich genannten Forderungen des Estates ab, die allesamt pro Estate entschieden wurden. 2 blieben übrig.
Die 5 Zeichnungen von Michael und die falsche Widmung im Buch (Dankesschreiben an Estate für Zusammenarbeit)
Der Estate hat diese beiden Forderungen zurückgenommen unter Beibehaltung ihrer Rechte. Somit bleibt für den Prozess selbst nur noch die Schadensersatzbemessung.
Estate fragt nach 1,5 Mio. Dollar Schadensersatz für Name u. Bildnis, aktuellen Schaden und Rechtskosten.
Estate ist auch für einen bench-Prozess bereit (Urteil wird nur vom Gericht gefällt)
Estate hat 15 Zeugen benannt: Mann , Vaccaro, Sonia Lowe, ( Person mit Wissen über Vintage-Mitarbeiter) , Michael Blakey, William Pigg, Fernando Torres, Michael Kunkel
Wenn benötigt werden folgende Personen gerufen : Sean Montgomery von BB games, Stephen Bugbee, Robert Creel, CSI Commerce solutions, Lee Durst, Chris Sauer,Keith Lowy
Die Zeugenliste von Mann/Vacarro wird bald folgen.

Quelle: Ivy, MJJC

Noch ein update:

MJ Estate Antwort auf Manns Einreichung über MJ Testament, Nachlassverwalter

Estate sagt keine Klagebefugnis, falsches Gericht. Sie befinden sich in einer Copyright-Klage. Mann wolle sich vor Jury aufspielen. Estate sagt wenn Kathrine als Begünstigte ein Geschäft mit Mann einging stellt dies keine Beziehung zum Estate her. Und Mann`s Beschwerde "dieses Gericht muss das Ausmaß kennen, dass der Estate ging um bei der Kathrine Jackson-Mann-Beziehung zu verhindern, dass sie Michael Jackson`s Name und Bild verwendeten" beantwortet der Estate mit "Die Beklagten können offenbar nicht nachvollziehen, dass Mrs. Jackson nicht das Recht hat zur kommerziellen Nutzung von Michael Jackson`s Name und Abbild."

Estate antwortet auf Mann Reaktion zu Webseite/Thriller 25
Estate argumentiert, dass dieser Punkt unstrittig ist, da das Urteil im summarischen Verfahren bereits gefällt wurde, gab es eine Verletzung des Urheberrechts von Thriller 25. Estate sagt das Mann nicht mehr seine Webseite im Prozess präsentieren darf, weil sie dem Estate nicht wie angefordert übergeben wurde und ihre Experten sie nicht untersuchen konnten.

Beweismittelliste
Dies ist ein Exponatenliste - nur Namen und Kurzbeschreibungen - von Artikeln, die die Seiten beabsichtigen, bei der Verhandlung zu nutzen. Es sind alles rechtlichen Dokumente, Mitteilungen usw.. Das einzig interessante Exponat ist dieses:

E-Mail-Korrespondenz von Howard Mann am 24. März 2011, mit der Betreffzeile "Ihr Rücktritt!"

Es ist nicht klar, wem diese E-Mail gesendet wurde, aber diese wird in MJ Estates Unterlagen eingeschlossen "werden wir nur verwenden, wenn nötig" unter Abschnitt mit Manns Äußerungen / Interviews gegeben, TMZ, X17 usw. wo er die Nachlassverwalter schlecht macht.
Also ich denke, es ist wahrscheinlich, dass Mann die Verwalter in einer Mail zum Rücktritt aufgefordert hat.

Mann`s eingereichte Unterlagen
Manns Anwälte gehen hautpsächlich auf den Strafschadensersatz ein. Sie sagen Strafschadensersatz erfordert Bosheit und Mann hatte diese nicht, weil er Vaccaro`s Darstellungen und seiner Anwälte geglaubt habe, dass sie die IP-Rechte erworben haben. Mann sagt auch, er überprüfte diese durch Annäherung an die Jacksons - vor allem Joe und Katherine. Mann erzählt, dass es Joe und Katherine waren die ihre Besorgnis über die Verwalter, das Testament und das Einkommen äußerten.

Mann will immer noch ein Jury- Gerichtsverfahren und will nicht die Rechtskosten der anderen Seite zahlen.

Mann hat 32 Zeugen

überlappend mit der Estate-Zeugenliste sind:
Mann, Vaccaro, Sonia Lowe, Sean Montgomery von BB-Spiele, Stephen Bugbee, CSI Commerce-Lösungen, Keith Lowy, William Pigg

weitere Zeugen sind:
Branca, McClain, MJJ Productions, Optimale Productions, Sony / ATV, Brett-Livingstone Strong, Dr. Tohme, Brian Oxman, Joe Jackson, Katherine Jackson, Ed Pease, Brian Oxman, Steve Fernandez, Andrew Baharias, Janet, Randy, Tito, Jermaine, Rebbie, Laurel Henry, Charles Sullivan

Quelle: Ivy, MJJC

Edit:
Aus einer Aussage von Mann geht hervor, dass er Kathrine vortäuschte den ganzen Besitz von Vacarro gekauft zu haben und Vacarro`s Beteiligung versteckte, da Kathrine keinen Abschluss mit Vacarro machen wollte.

Kleines Update :

Howard Mann's lawyer has filed an emergency motion asking for a one month delay in the trial. The reason they are saying is because they had to hire a new lawyer because their current lawyer Lee Durst is the one that consulted Howard Mann in regard to this business deal with Katherine and Vaccaro. As he will be required to testify, he can't be their current lawyer and the new lawyer needs time to prepare.

Howard Mann Anwalt hat einen Dringlichkeitsantrag eingereicht um für eine Verzögerung von einem Monat für den Prozess zu erfragen. Der Grund, er benötige einen neuen Anwalt, weil sein aktueller Anwalt Lee Durst derjenige ist, der Howard Mann in Bezug auf dieses Geschäft mit Katherine und Vaccaro beriet. Also benötigt er ihn um auszusagen und daher kann er nicht sein aktueller Anwalt sein und der neue Anwalt braucht Zeit, sich vorzubereiten.

The new lawyer of Mann also argues that Estate cannot be bringing copyright claims for TII and Opis None (Destiny remix) and such claims can only be brought by Columbia Pictures (for TII) and Sony Music (for Destiny remix) and therefore Estate lacks standing to bring such complaints.

Der neue Anwalt von Mann argumentiert, dass der Estate kann nicht die urheberrechtlichen Ansprüche für TII und Opis None (Destiny remix) einbringen, solche Ansprüche können nur von Columbia Pictures (für TII) und Sony Music gebracht werden (für Destiny remix) und damit fehlt dem Estate das Recht um solche Beschwerden zu bringen.

Estate is understandably confused. They are asking the judge to determine the issues that will be discussed at trial. Estate lawyers was thinking as the partial summary judgement determined the issues, the only thing was left to determine was the damages. Estate had stated that they would drop the two claims about Katherine's book (the drawings and the thank you note). Mann lawyers also state that Estate told them they would not be seeking punitive damages. Estate lawyers only planned to use one witness - their expert witness - who would testify the damages to be between $5 to $12 Million (fair market value of the infringing MJ's copyrights and publicity, name , image and likeliness). Estate expected the trial to last 1-2 days.
Estate ist verständlicherweise verwirrt. Sie fordern den Richter auf die Probleme, die bei der Verhandlung erörtert werden zu bestimmen. Estate- Rechtsanwälte denken, das das teilweise summarische Urteil die Themen bestimmt, das einzige, was blieb, um festzustellen, war der Schaden. Estate hatte bereits erklärt, dass sie die beiden Klagepunkte über Katherine Buch (die Zeichnungen und die Dankeschön-Widmung) fallenlassen. Mann-Juristen stellten auch fest, dass der Estate ihnen gesagt hat sie würden nicht versuchen punitive damages (Bestrafungsschadensersatz) zu erhlaten. Estate. Anwälte haben nur geplant einen Zeugen zu bringen - ihre Gutachter - der den Schaden bezeugen würde zwischen $ 5 bis $ 12 Million (Marktwert der rechtsverletzenden Urheberrechte von Name, Bild und likeliness von MJ). Estate erwartet, dass der Prozess 1-2 Tage dauert.

However Mann has a totally different plan. Estate says Mann is planning to introduce a lot of new issues and claims and defenses and plans to call up to 29 witnesses. So Estate is asking the court to determine what will be the issues allowed at trial.
Allerdings hat Mann einen ganz anderen Plan. Estate, sagt das Mann plant, eine Menge neuer Probleme und Behauptungen und Verteidungen zu bringen und plant 29 Zeugen einzuführen. So der Estate fordert das Gericht auf zu bestimmen welche Themen im Prozess zugelassen werden.

Quelle: Ivy, MJJC

Der neue Anwalt von Mann wurde vom Gericht genehmigt. Dieser hatte zwischenzeitlich einen Antrag eingereicht das das Gericht das bereits gefällte Zusammenfassungsurteil zurücknimmt und den Prozess verwirft, da der Estate nicht das Recht zur Klage habe, nicht Inhaber der Copy-Rechte sei, sondern Triumph, Bravado und Sony, Columiba-Pictures diese besitzt und somit nicht klageberechtigt ist. Estate antworte im Gegenantrag, sind Besitzer der Copyright-Rechte und vergeben Lizenzen an Columbia-Pictures etc....

Gericht hat den Antrag von Mann zurückgewiesen bzgl. Rücknahme des Zusammenfassungsurtel und Prozessverwerfung.

Mann`s Anwalt hat nun eine Antwort eingereicht, das Gericht solle seine Entscheidung nochmals überdenken. Zudem reichen sie einen weiteren Antrag ein den Experten-Zeugen vom Estate nich zuzulassen und führt dabei wiederum an Estate hätte nicht den Stand Schadensersatz für TII-Poster-Verwendung etc. zu verlangen, da Estate ja nicht die Copyrights besäße.
Eine Anhörung ist am 4. September.

Mann saga continues

Court rejects motion to vacate the summary judgement and motion to dismiss the case on the eve of the trial.

Mann's lawyer files a response asking the judge reconsider this decision.

Mann's lawyer files another motion asking the court not to allow Estate's expert witness testimony. This motion is like a repeat of the motion to vacate and motion to dismiss. Mann's lawyer argues that Estate's expert had at least two flaws - assuming MJ Estate had standing to file lawsuit and he calculated damages using the use of TII poster picture. As you know Mann's lawyer has been arguing not Estate but Sony , Columbia, Triumph and Bravado are the parties that could have filed the lawsuit.

Documents also show that there's another hearing set on September 4th.

Quelle: Ivy MJJC

Kurz vor Prozessbeginn heute wo es noch um die Bestimmung der Schadenssumme gegangen wäre hat der MJ-Estate mit Mann ein Settlement geschlossen. Mann muss dem MJ-Estate 2,5 Mio. Schadensersatz zahlen und trägt die Urteilskosten. Bereits im Vorfeld hatte das Gericht Mann für verschiedenste Copyright-Vergehen schuldig befunden beim Verkauf von Merchandaise in Collobartion mit Kathrine Jackson. Die Webseiten von Mann wurden bereits im letzten Monat nach dem Urteil geschlossen. Das Settlement verhindert zudem die weitere Nutzung von Jackson`s Bild und Name in der Zukunft ohne Erlaubnis. "Der Estate ist erfreut, dass dieses Thema hinter unter ist" sagte Anwalt Howard Weizmann.

Jackson estate, businessman settle copyright case

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Michael Jackson's estate and a businessman working with the singer's mother have settled a copyright infringement case for $2.5 million.
The settlement was announced Tuesday in a Los Angeles federal courthouse right before a trial on damages was scheduled to begin. The estate had sued Howard Mann and his businesses in January 2011, claiming he had violated Jackson copyrights in a book and other merchandise he sold in collaboration with Katherine Jackson.
Mann is the CEO of Vintage Pop Media, which according to settlement terms announced in court is responsible for paying the judgment.
A judge had already ruled that Mann and Vintage Pop Media violated copyrights by using images from the Jackson film"This is it" and other works.
A jury trial on how much Mann owes the estate had been scheduled to begin Tuesday, with an expert estimating a license for the works is with between $5 and $12 million.
http://news.yahoo.com/jackson-estate...--finance.html

Jackson estate, businessman settle copyright case

By ANTHONY McCARTNEY, AP Entertainment Writer–9 minutes ago
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Michael Jackson's estate and a businessman working with the singer's mother settled a copyright infringement lawsuit for $2.5 million on Tuesday, shortly before a trial in the case was scheduled to begin.
The settlement also restricts Howard Mann and his companies from using Jackson's likeness without permission in the future. It ends a year and a half of legal fighting over Mann's use of Jackson's name and likeness on a website used to promote unreleased songs, photographs and a book written by Katherine Jackson filled with recollections of her superstar son.
Mann is the CEO of Vintage Pop Media, which operated the website www.michaeljacksonsecretvault.com until it was ordered shut down last month by a federal judge who ruled the site violated copyrights controlled by the singer's estate.
Under the terms of the settlement, announced in court by estate attorney Zia Modabber, Vintage Pop Media Group is responsible for $2 million of the judgment, while the entity Vintage Associates LLC is responsible for the remainder. Vintage Associates is the custodian of the items that were at issue in the case.
Mann's attorney, Lee Durst, declined comment after the hearing. "The estate is delighted this matter is behind us," estate attorney Howard Weitzman said.
Among the items that had been improperly used were images from Jackson's posthumous film "This is it" and a silhouette of the singer dancing in "Smooth Criminal." The settlement also blocks the usage of materials from "Thriller" that had appeared on Mann's website.
A jury trial on how much Mann owes the estate had been scheduled to begin Tuesday, with an expert estimating a license for the works is worth between $5 million and $12 million.
Mann's attorneys rejected a settlement offer last week of $2 million. They sought to introduce evidence that they were given bad legal advice about having to license the works and have considered calling Katherine Jackson as a witness. The Jackson family matriarch is one of the beneficiaries of the singer's estate, along with his three children.
U.S. District Judge Dean D. Pregerson has noted that Mann doesn't appear to have the resources to pay a large judgment. The defendants' ability to pay was not discussed in court on Tuesday.
Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP

Noch intressant zu wissen, der Estate hat ein Pfandrecht auf die Mann/Vaccaro-Memorbilia-Sammlung solange nicht eine Anteil der Entschädigungssumme gezahlt ist.

Michael Jackson copyright dispute settledBy Alan Duke, CNN
September 5, 2012 -- Updated 0014 GMT (0814 HKT)
Michael Jackson's estate accepted a $2.5 million in damages for misappropriation of images and lyrics.STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Companies involved agree to pay the estate $2.5 million for copyright violations
"This settlement seems appropriate for all concerned," Jackson's estate says
Jackson estate accused Howard Mann of "wholesale misappropriation" of copyrights
Mann's company published Katherine Jackson's book "Never Can Say Goodbye"
Los Angeles (CNN) -- A bitter legal dispute between Michael Jackson's estate and a business partner of the late pop icon's mother was settled Tuesday, just before a trial on the matter was to begin, lawyers said.

In the end, the lawyer for Katherine Jackson, who was not a party to the lawsuit, mediated the agreement, which gives the estate $2.5 million from the several companies involved.

A federal judge had already ruled that Howard Mann and several associated companies violated Jackson's copyrights, which are controlled by his estate executors, and the only question for a jury was how much should be paid in damages.

"In light of the court's rulings for the estate on summary judgment, this settlement seems appropriate for all concerned," estate lawyers Howard Weitzman and Zia Modabber said in a statement to CNN on Tuesday.

Mann's company published Katherine Jackson's 150-page coffee table book "Never Can Say Goodbye, The Katherine Jackson Story" two years ago and established a website -- MichaelJacksonSecretVault.com -- that the estate argued illegally used Jackson's images and lyrics.

"This was a long, complex and difficult litigation that in the end will likely be equitable for Mrs. Jackson and the other parties involved," Mann said. "This settlement would not have been possible without Perry Sanders (Katherine Jackson's lawyer), who worked to bridge quite a distance."

"I really really appreciated the reasonableness of all parties involved, and everyone is served well by getting this wrapped up," said Sanders, who helped mediate the settlement this week.

The resolution of the dispute represents a new twist in the contentious relationship between the executors who control Michael Jackson's estate and the members of the Jackson family and some of their business associates.

Mann's involvement with the Jacksons began when he partnered with Henry Vaccaro, who bought a large amount of Jackson memorabilia purchased at an auction after Katherine and Joe Jackson's 1999 bankruptcy. A lien will be placed on those photos and other assets until a portion of the settlement is paid, a lawyer said.

Katherine Jackson was not a defendant, but her name and those of her husband, Joe Jackson, and children Janet, Randy, Tito and Jermaine Jackson were on the defense witness list.

The estate accused Mann of "wholesale misappropriation" of Michael Jackson copyrights and acting with "arrogant disregard" for the estate's rights by using unauthorized images

While the estate claimed the book sold about 25,000 copies for $1.5 million in the first two days, Mann's lawyers contended "actual sales are very minimal and the defendant's businesses have suffered a major net loss."

The copyright violations also included screen shots from the "This is it" documentary about the singer's last days and other "misappropriated" images, including Jackson's "Smooth Criminal Lean," which Mann's company used in its corporate logo.

Mann's website, which the judge already ordered to be taken offline, "does absolutely everything in its power to suggest to its visitors that it is the hub for all things Michael Jackson, and that it is sanctioned and supported by the estate, when in fact it is neither," the estate argued.

Mal was Neues zu Henry Vaccaro. Er hat im Dezember eine Klage gegen John Branca wegen Defamierung eingereicht. Vaccaro sagt er habe erfahren, dass John Branca im Dezember 2013 an Core Media, damals ein Teil-Besitzer vom Elvis Presley Estate eine E-Mail gesendet habe. "Henry Vaccaro ist schuldig wegen Betrug, wir haben ein Urteil gegen ihn erreicht und er ist bankrott." Vacarroa sagt wegen dieseer E-Mail verweigerte Core Media einen Deal mit Ihm zu machen. Vacarro hatte Core Media Teile der Jackson-Memorbilia zum Kauf angeboten.

Weiß gar nicht was Vacarro hat. Alles was Branca in der Mail sagte ist wahr.

http://dailymichael.com/lawsui…ohn-branca-for-defamation

Henry Vaccaro sues John Branca for defamation

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24 December 2014
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In an interesting turn of events Henry Vaccaro sues John Branca for defamation. You might know that Henry Vaccaro had a business deal with Jacksons in 1993. When Jacksons failed to make payments, Vaccaro sued and won judgments against several members of Jackson family. Vaccaro later seized some assets (also known as Jackson family memorabilia) to satisfy those judgments. Both Janet and Michael sued Vaccaro. Michael successfully shut down a pay per view website but did not follow up the lawsuit due to his criminal proceedings. So as a result Michael’s 2004 lawsuit against Vaccaro was dismissed.

Vaccaro later formed a partnership with Howard Mann. Howard Mann formed a partnership with Katherine Jackson to exploit Vaccaro assets. MJ Estate sued Mann and later Vaccaro for copyright infringement. Estate argued Michael wasn’t a part of the original bankruptcy/judgments and Michael maintained his copyrights. Court agreed that the bankruptcy sale sold only personal property but did not transfer any rights, titles or interest in MJ’s intellectual property. In other words while Vaccaro is/was the owner of the physical items he acquired during Jacksons bankruptcy/judgment, Michael Jackson (and now his Estate) is the owner of MJ's intellectual property rights.

At the end court granted a permanent injunction to stop Mann/Vaccaro from using those assets (mainly photographs, drawings and music) and they were ordered to pay $2.5 Million to MJ Estate. Vaccaro is responsible for paying $500,000 to MJ Estate while Mann is responsible for the rest.

In a recent twist, on December 17,2014 Vaccaro filed a defamation lawsuit against John Branca. In his lawsuit Vaccaro says in May 2013 Core Media approached to him to acquire some or all of Jackson Memorabilia. (At the time Core Media was part owner of Elvis Presley Estate and memorabilia but they sold their share at November 2013.)

Vaccaro says in December 2013 he learned that John Branca sent an email to Core media in which he said

“ Henry Vaccaro is guilty of fraud. We have obtained a judgment against him and he is bankrupt.”.

Vaccaro claims based on this email Core Media refused to do business with Vaccaro. Vaccaro claims Branca’s statements were false and it resulted in Vaccaro losing a lucrative business deal. As a result Vaccaro is suing Branca for defamation.

Document here : http://thejasminebrand.com/wp-…ver-Memorabilia-Deal1.pdf

My personal opinion

In defamation cases the most common defenses are “truth” and “statement of opinion”. In a “truth” defense the accused demonstrates what they said was accurate. If a statement is accurate, it cannot be defamation. A “statement of opinion” defense differentiates between statements made as facts and opinion. While a false statement of fact is defamation, statement of opinion (such as I think, I believe) is protected by first amendment / freedom of speech. In other words law differentiate between for example “Jack beats his wife”(statement of fact) and “I think Jack beats his wife”(statement of opinion).

If we look to Branca’s alleged email of “ Henry Vaccaro is guilty of fraud. We have obtained a judgment against him and he is bankrupt.”, We can see at least two of his statements are true or he has a reason to believe they are true.

As I mentioned above Estate has won their lawsuit against Vaccaro and Mann and judge ordered Mann to pay $2 Million and Vaccaro to pay $500,000 to MJ Estate at September 2012. So “We have obtained a judgment against him” is true.

As I tweeted about it before Henry Vaccaro filed for bankruptcy in April 2013 (Case number 13-17946-CMG at New Jersey Bankruptcy court). This bankruptcy was the reason Why Jackson memorabilia was sold in an auction recently. Vaccaro and Mann are also on record back in September 2012, saying they probably won’t be able to pay the judgment to MJ Estate. So “he is bankrupt” seems to be true as well.

The only point open to interpretation and could possible be considered as defamation in my opinion is “Henry Vaccaro is guilty of fraud.”. I wonder the background of this email exchange between Core Media and John Branca. Remember MJ Estate vs. Mann/Vaccaro lawsuit has established that Estate owns and controls MJ’s intellectual property at Vaccaro Jackson memorabilia and there’s a permanent injunction in place. So some items (such as Jacksons variety show masters or photographs) cannot be released or used without Estate’s approval. So this makes me wonder if Vaccaro made some false statements which prompted Branca describe it as fraud. I guess we’ll see when Branca files his response. Also I want to note that Frank Coonis sued Henry Vaccaro for fraud but the case was dismissed. I didn't check to see if any other fraud lawsuits were filed against Vaccaro and if they ended with a guilty/liability verdict.

Odds of Vaccaro winning this lawsuit against Branca? I would say slim to none. Not only Vaccaro needs to prove Branca’s email was defamatory but also it was the reason Why Core Media didn’t enter into business with him. (Based on the recent Jackson memorabilia auction it could also be argued that the remaining items in Vaccaro’s possession wasn’t interesting, valuable or useable). Vaccaro representing himself wouldn’t help his chances either.