Lawyers representing Michael Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray are locked in a legal battle with movie bosses behind the late superstar's This Is It concert film over whether the footage can be used in court.
The Thriller hitmaker died of a drug overdose in 2009 just weeks before he was due to stage his live comeback with a series of shows in London. Murray is set to stand trial later this year (11) after pleading not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter relating to the singer's death, and he wants Jackson's tour rehearsal footage to be used in court.
Film from Jackson's practise sessions was edited together and released as This Is It and Murray's legal team has asked to be granted access to more than 100 hours of raw footage which was used to make the movie.
However, bosses at Sony Pictures are fighting the request and have filed court documents arguing against the release of the footage, most of which has never been seen publicly.
Both sides are due in court in Los Angeles on Thursday (16Jun11) in a bid to resolve the dispute.
Murray's trial is due to begin in September (11).