Jackson Family Sued by Apparel Maker

Accusing the Jackson family of “duplicitous” business dealings, attorneys for a French clothing manufacturer filed a lawsuit seeking more than $17 million, contending that the entertainers reneged on an exclusive deal to market the Jackson family name and logo on a line of jeans and sportswear.

In the suit, the Nelson clothing company of Toulouse, France, alleges that the Jackson family violated a June, 1991, contract granting Nelson “exclusive use of the name and logo of ‘the Jackson Family’ on any and all products manufactured and distributed” by Nelson.

Named in the suit alleging fraud and breach of contract were Jackson Communications Inc. family patriarch Joseph Jackson, superstars Michael and Janet Jackson, as well as other family members including Tito, Marlon, LaToya and Germaine Jackson.

Attorneys Michael Brush and Michael Sacks contend that after the Jacksons signed the contract giving exclusive rights to Nelson and its president, Tony Elichia, the family formed a Swiss company called United Talents Group and began soliciting other, similar business arrangements.

The attorneys said the Jacksons were paid $100,000 for licensing rights and additional royalty payments that amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many of those payments were in cash, Brush said.

Representatives of the Jackson family could not be reached. However, Jay Lavely, an attorney for Michael Jackson, said his client “denies he did anything wrongful, fraudulent or improper” and that Michael Jackson never granted the Nelson company the right to use his name or likeness for commercial purposes.

According to a court exhibit attached to the lawsuit, Joseph Jackson wrote a letter in March, 1994, terminating the agreement.

The Jacksons have been hit during the past year with several lawsuits alleging breach of contract in connection with the financially troubled Jackson Family Honors television special. In addition, Michael Jackson paid millions earlier this year to settle a lawsuit filed by a 14-year-old boy who accused Jackson of sexually molesting him.