Michael Jackson is involved in yet another lawsuit.
According to Billboard, the production company behind Michael Jackson: The Last Photo Shoot has filed a lawsuit against the executors of the late singer's estate.
The lawsuit was filed over ever-before-seen footage taken of Jackson in 2007, two years before he died.
The film's director, Craig Williams, says the footage was taken at the Brooklyn Museum of Art for Ebony magazine as Jackson gave his first magazine interview in a decade.
Reports say the documentary features interviews with the Jackson's friends, photographers and stylists as well as photos on the King of Pop.
Howard Weitzman, attorney for the Michael Jackson estate, told The Hollywood Reporter that the images were not meant for public use.
"The makers of the documentary are attempting to exploit footage and photographs of Michael Jackson, which we believe are owned by his Estate," Weitzman said. "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 authorized or approved the use of this material in the film."
Noval Williams Films claims they have validly obtained rights.
According to a complaint filed by the production company in New York federal court, the Jackson estate skipped out on an opportunity to purchase rights in 2011.
Weitzman and the estate say that the footage of Jackson was done as a "work-for-hire" and he should be considered the author for copyright purposes.
The production company has decided to go to court seeking declaratory relief that it isn't infringing copyrights.
