LOS ANGELES—Michael Jackson’s estate has settled a lawsuit against a nonprofit claiming it is the successor to the singer’s Heal the World charity.
Jackson’s estate battled the Heal the World Foundation in federal court for more than 18 months then settled the case on Tuesday just as trial was scheduled to begin.
In recent months, the foundation has placed Jackson’s mother on its board of directors.
The estate says in a statement that it will retain the rights to the Heal the World charity and rights to any trademarks the current foundation held.
While fighting child abuse allegations, Michael Jackson abandoned the charity that bears the name of one of his hit songs.
Edgar Pease, who represents Heal the World, did not immediately return a phone message.