Michael Jackson’s estate locked in legal battle with Las Vegas’ MJ Live show over using likeness of late King of Pop in tribute act

Michael Jackson’s estate is embroiled in a lawsuit with Las Vegas tribute act MJ Live after the show accused the late pop star’s lawyers of sending cease-and-desist letters.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by MJ Live in Nevada federal court, claims that Jackson’s estate wrongly made legal threats regarding the show’s use of the late pop star’s likeness, per TMZ.

The King of Pop tribute act, who first appeared on the Vegas strip more than a decade ago, is asserting his legal right to continue his performances.

According to the lawsuit, Jackson’s estate recently began sending cease-and-desist letters to the venues hosting the show, demanding the cancellation of upcoming tour dates.

A source told the outlet that the estate has only taken legal action against venue locations outside Nevada — such as California and New York — because they consider the tribute show to be “low class.”

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by MJ Live (above) in Nevada federal court, alleges that Jackson’s estate dishonestly made legal threats regarding the show’s use of the late pop star’s likeness.

DailyMail.com has contacted the Michael Jackson estate for comment.

MJ Live’s lawsuit refers to the cease and desist letters as “intentional and unlawful interference” that was “intended to harm plaintiff,” per The Hollywood Reporter.

But the group goes one step further and claims that it is the Jackson estate that is tampering with their intellectual property.

After using the MJ Live name for over a decade, MJ Live’s legal department claims they have earned their own trademark rights to that name.

They argue that the estate’s recent use of “MJ The Musical” on Broadway undermines these rights.

“Over the past eleven and a half years…Plaintiff has spent millions of dollars on advertising and promotion for his MJ Live show,” the complaint said, according to THR.

“Plaintiff estimates that more than 2,500,000 audience members, clapping and singing in their seats, jumping to their feet and dancing in the aisles, experienced the joy, excitement and thrill of MJ Live.”

Wednesday’s lawsuit against MJ Live is a “declaratory judgment” showing that they did nothing wrong.

In their complaint, MJ Live’s legal team states that the group has not infringed on any trademarks owned by the estate and has not violated any likeness rights by performing their MJ impersonations.

The show features a Michael Jackson impersonator who guides fans through the late pop star’s greatest hits.

According to the lawsuit, Jackson’s estate recently began sending cease-and-desist letters to venues hosting the show, demanding the cancellation of upcoming tour dates.

A source told TMZ that the estate has only taken legal action against venue locations outside Nevada — such as California and New York — because they consider the tribute show to be “low class.”

After using the MJ Live name for over a decade, MJ Live’s legal department claims they have earned their own trademark rights to that name; Jackson in 2005

Wednesday’s lawsuit against MJ Live is a “declaratory judgment,” showing that they did nothing wrong; LaToya Jackson, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson pictured in 2004

The lawsuit cites Nevada’s “likeness laws,” which allow the use of a celebrity’s likeness by “impersonators in live performances,” according to the outlet.

“This lawsuit – including the allegation that this impersonator show somehow owns a “trademark” in “MJ,” a trademark owned by Michael Jackson’s Estate and long associated with Michael and his Estate – is more beyond frivolous,” Jackson estate attorney Jonathan Steinsapir said in a statement.

“The Estate will, as always, vigorously defend all of Michael Jackson’s intellectual property rights.”

Jackson died on June 25, 2009 due to acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication.