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Post by MaryAnn Layton on Sept 30, 2009 10:11:44 GMT -5
I am posting this because there may be websites out there that are collecting funds for Heal the World or a similar charity using Michael's name. Be careful of these scams!
Please note: The Heal the World foundation is NO LONGER running! The following is an article I found at TMZ.
Jackson Estate Sues Heal the World Posted Sep 29th 2009 7:25PM by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson's estate has filed a lawsuit against the Heal the World Foundation.
The Special Administrators, John Branca and John McClain, have alleged in the suit the Foundation is using Jackson's name and likeness without permission.
According to the lawsuit the Foundation and other related entities have registered 6 trademarks and have applied with 41 additional ones, all suggesting a connection to Jackson.
The legal papers acknowledge Jackson founded his own Heal the World Foundation in 1992 but it has no connection to the defendants.
The suit alleges the defendants cybersquatted various domain names, including "mjaid.net," "healthworldfoundation.net," and "mjquotes.net."
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Post by loveisadoughnut on Oct 6, 2009 23:08:29 GMT -5
I heard this as well. Thanks so much for posting this! It's a very important issue.
We need to not only make sure the money is going where it is supposed to go, but also that scoundrels aren't making money off of Michael.
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Post by MaryAnn Layton on Apr 27, 2010 12:48:06 GMT -5
Here is an update on the scam artist who got BUSTED! Victory!
MJ Estate Stops 'Heal the World' Copycat Originally posted April 27, 2010 by TMZ Staff
Score another crushing victory for the Michael Jackson estate -- this time the MJ squad dropped the hammer on a woman who allegedly set up a sham Heal the World Foundation to dupe Jackson fans into buying merchandise.
TMZ has learned a Federal judge issued an injunction against Melissa Johnson -- the woman behind a Heal the World Foundation website -- requiring her to stop "exploiting Michael Jackson's name, image and likeness."
According to the court order, the judge ruled that Johnson -- who has attempted to register at least 40 trademarks with a direct connection to MJ -- operates websites that "convey to consumers a false affiliation with Michael Jackson."
As you may recall, Jackson operated a legit Heal the World Foundation back in the day, but it had been inactive for many years prior to his death.
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Post by MaryAnn Layton on Jan 14, 2011 9:46:11 GMT -5
Found this article dated April 27, 2010 - Federal Judge orders "Heal the World" group to stop exploiting Michael Jackson's name! www.pr-inside.com/federal-judge-orders-heal-the-world-r1857056.htmThis is good news! Although I believe the people who started up this "foundation" had their heart in the right place, I did not agree with their decision to call it the Heal the World Foundation, and also profit from sales of MJ products. So it's been shut down - case closed.
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Post by MaryAnn Layton on Feb 26, 2011 12:25:52 GMT -5
Well a lot has happened since January. The new HTW foundation is back up and running, and now has the support of Katherine, Michael's children, as well as Howard Mann! To be fair, I'm sure the new foundation is doing good works.
However, the Estate has a point, that they were not given permission to publish Michael's logo, picture and collect donations on behalf of HIS charity. So they are going after the new HTW, and also Howard Mann because he is selling Katherine's book. By the way, I offer her book for free to all members who want it, so if you don't want to pay Howard Mann, problem solved!
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