Footage of the late Michael Jackson at a museum in New York has become the subject of a lawsuit between film director Craig Williams and the Jackson estate.
The production company behind the upcoming film Michael Jackson: The Last Photo shoot is taking legal action against the late singer's estate over a video of him at the Brooklyn Museum of Art in New York.
The movie - which is set to be released later this year - also features interviews with the Michael's friends, photographers and stylists.
Director Craig Williams insists he has a right to include the footage in the documentary while the Jackson's estate attorney Howard Weitzman claims the images should remain private and are being "exploited" by film makers.
He told The Hollywood Reporter: "The makers of the documentary are attempting to exploit footage and photographs of Michael Jackson, which we believe are owned by his Estate.
"The documentary contains footage of Michael during private moments that he never agreed could be publicly and commercially exploited without his consent and/or involvement. Michael never authorised or approved the use of this material in the film."
However, the movies' production company Noval Williams Films maintains that it has validly obtained the rights to the footage According to a complaint filed in New York's federal court, it is believed the Jackson family were offered the chance to purchase the rights to the video but passed up the opportunity before the director decided to buy the footage in May last year.
The documentary makers are now seeking declaratory relief that it use of the video isn't infringing copyrights.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.