The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 were the last major superstars produced by Berry Gordy’s classic Motown machine. But by 1973, the group’s popularity had begun to slide. Tensions between the brothers and Motown were heightened by the fact that Gordy refused to update their image, give them creative control or a stake in the publishing rights to their catalog. Additionally, they were only receiving a 2.8% royalty rate. When their father/manager, Joseph Jackson, was persuaded to take the group to CBS for a much more lucrative deal, Motown sued for breach of contract. Motown eventually let the group walk, believing it was past its prime, but the brothers forever lost the rights to the name “Jackson 5” and the famous “J5” trademark.
