The Michael Jackson estate has won an appeal against HBO for the network’s 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, which accused the late singer of sexually abusing two young boys.
“The contract contained a broad arbitration clause that covers claims that HBO disparaged Jackson in violation of ongoing confidentiality obligations,” the panel ruled.
Suing for $100 million (£75.4m), the Jackson estate argued that Leaving Neverland violated a nearly three-decade-old non-disparagement clause from a 1992 concert film from the “Dangerous” tour, which HBO produced.
As reported by Variety, HBO countered that the clause should be considered irrelevant and accused the Jackson estate of silencing victims of sexual abuse.