In a significant legal victory, a California appeals court has ruled that Michael Jackson’s estate can proceed with the $600 million sale of the legendary singer’s catalog to Sony Music. This decision comes despite objections raised by Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, who sought to block the deal.

The court’s ruling, issued on August 22, 2024, finalized a tentative decision made a month earlier. It determined that the estate’s executors, John Branca and John McClain, did not violate the terms of Michael’s will when they inked the massive deal with Sony. The will granted the executors broad powers of sale, allowing them to sell any estate assets, including those involved in the proposed transaction.

Katherine Jackson’s appeal was also rejected on procedural grounds. The court held that she had forfeited her arguments by failing to raise them before a lower probate court. While she can still appeal to the California Supreme Court, the odds of overturning the ruling remain low.

The deal between the Jackson estate and Sony Music involves the sale of half of Michael’s publishing and recorded masters catalog for over $600 million. Despite the ongoing probate court proceedings, the executors sought approval from Judge Mitchell Beckloff, who previously rejected Katherine’s objections in April 2023. Now, with the appeals court’s final ruling, the sale can move forward, marking a significant chapter in the legacy of the King of Pop.