Michael Jackson’s estate just gave Paul Anka publishing rights to the icon’s new single, “This Is It,” after he called it a rip-off.
 
Paul told TMZ.com that he and Michael co-wrote the song back in 1983 under the title “I Never Heard” and charges that Michael stole the recordings after he brought the tapes to a recording studio in Hollywood.
 
When Paul called his and Michael’s lawyers, one of whom was John Branca, he threatened to sue if he didn’t get the boosted recordings back. But by the time they were returned, Paul claims that the King of Pop had already made copies and renamed the song “This Is It.”
 
In light of yesterday’s release, Paul made it known that he and his legal team were considering legal action. To avoid a mess, the administrators of Michael’s estate, Branca and John McClain, scrambled to make amends.
 
Paula claims that McClain actually reached out to him, saying, "We'll give you whatever you want, whatever it takes we'll do the right thing."
 
Michael’s estate has now given 50 percent of the publishing rights for "This Is It" to Paul, and that’s in addition to other profits from the song. But, in exchange for doing the right McClaind has asked Paul to promote the single.

-- Sonya Eskridge

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