As widely reported in the mainstream media, Michael Jackson has filed a lawsuit against Julien’s Auctions for the return of personal property from the Neverland Ranch that was consigned to the auction house with a sale planned for April 22-April 25, 2009 in Beverly Hills. Fox News now reports on claims of threats made against Darren Julien and partner Martin Nolan by a Jackson associate. [Read more…]
Superior Court Lawsuit Filing: Michael Jackson’s MJJ Productions, Inc. vs Julien’s Auction House, LLC
As widely reported in the mainstream media, Michael Jackson has filed a lawsuit against Julien’s Auctions for the return of personal property from the Neverland Ranch that was consigned to the auction house with a sale planned for April 22-April 25, 2009 in Beverly Hills. Below is a PDF of the complaint filed in California Superior Court. [Read more…]
Auction Network Pulls The Plug On Julien’s Auctions Amid Michael Jackson Lawsuit Controversy
As reported Thursday, Michael Jackson has filed a lawsuit against Julien’s Auctions over the upcoming auction event in April, liquidating Jackson’s personal property and memorabilia from Neverland Ranch. Now Auction Network, the online bidding service provider, has announced on their website that they are withdrawing as a partner in the auction “unless or until the controversy is resolved”. [Read more…]
Auction House Controversies In The News: Christie’s & China, Antiquorium & India, Julien’s Auctions & Michael Jackson
There has been a great deal of controversy in the news in the past week with regards to three unrelated auction house events, including Christie’s auction of “national treasures” originally looted from Beijing in 1860, India’s attempt to halt the sale of Mohandas Gandhi memorabilia scheduled for auction today by Antiquorum, and Julien’s Auctions upcoming sale of Michael Jackson memorabilia (which today Jackson is threatening with lawsuit). [Read more…]
Original Prop Hobby – 2008 Year in Review
As was the case last year (see 2007 Year in Review), what follows is an editorial review of my personal views with regards to the hobby, looking back at the top trends and news stories of 2008. As always, there were a lot of interesting developments and events, and quite a bit to review and consider. [Read more…]
Los Angeles Jury Finds in Favor of AMPAS Over Pickford Heirs in Oscar Case
Picking up from the report published in January (see Oscar Statuette Legal Dispute Between Heirs & The Academy), the L.A. Times today reports that a jury has decided in favor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), prohibiting the sale of a 1930 Oscar (Academy Award) which heirs of Mary Pickford had planned to auction, with proceeds to benefit a charity, the Buddy Rogers Youth Symphony. The Academy has the first right of refusal to buy the award – valued at hundreds of thousands – for $10. [Read more…]
Star Wars “Prototype” Stormtrooper Helmets Update: High Court Ruling Excerpts on LFL v. SDS Case
Given the British High Court ruling on the case of Lucasfilm vs. Andrew Ainsworth (see Lucasfilm vs. Ainsworth High Court Ruling: Full Document from Royal Courts of Justice), and the additional information available from the court documents, I thought it would be a good opportunity to build on the prior OPB article exploring the “prototype” Stormtrooper helmets (see Star Wars “Prototype” Stormtrooper Helmets) trading in the marketplace as original and authentic precursors to the helmets used on set and filmed in Star Wars: A New Hope. [Read more…]
Lucasfilm vs. Ainsworth High Court Ruling: Full Document from Royal Courts of Justice
“Exoray” from the RPF is hosting a full HTML version of the High Court ruling on the case between Lucasfilm and Andrew Ainsworth in the legal dispute over the trademark and copyright of the Stormtrooper helmet and other helmets and armor produced for Star Wars: A New Hope. I have not had time to review the full ruling in detail, but thought readers would be interested in reviewing it first hand: [Read more…]