Michael Jackson, Hackers: Crooks Infiltrate Sony's Network, Steal King of Pop's Entire Back Catalog

Posted on Mar 4th 2012 1:30PM by Kenneth Partridge

Getty Images

Somewhere in the world -- and Sony Music would love to know where -- someone is sitting on unreleased recordings of Michael Jackson singing with will.i.am and Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.

That's the word from Britain's Sunday Times, which reports that in April 2011, hackers infiltrated Sony's computer system and illegally downloaded the King of Pop's entire back catalog -- a collection of 50,000 digital files that includes a number of unreleased tracks.

"It caused them to check their systems and they found the breach," a source told the newspaper. "There was a degree of sophistication. Sony identified the weakness and plugged the gap."

Sony paid Jackson's estate $250 million for the recordings back in 2010, and according to the source, everything the label acquired was compromised in the cyber attack. That means the digital crooks have their hands on a treasure trove of unheard material dating back to 'Off the Wall' and 'Thriller.'

At this time, it's unclear what the hackers will do with the music, but if they're smart, they'll slowly roll the songs out over a period of years, making obsessive fans shell out big bucks for each new CD. If only there were some place they could look for a business model.

See Michael Jackson Through the Years

See All Music Galleries »

Watch 'Michael Jackson Song Catalog Stolen'

Watch Michael Jackson's 'Remember the Time' Video

Follow @AOLMusic on Twitter | Like AOL Music on Facebook | Sign Up for Newsletter

Download Michael Jackson Songs | Buy Michael Jackson Albums

Filed under: Hot Off the Press

Around The Web:

Michael Jackson's Back Catalogue, Including Will.I.Am ...

Anonymous to hack Sony on Monday | TeamMichael

Michael Jackson | Hackers Steal Michael Jackson's Unreleased ...

Michael Jackson's back catalogue has been stolen | Mail Online

Alltop - Top Michael Jackson News

Report: Hackers steal Jackson's back catalogue worth $250M ...

UKMIX - Forums - News & Gossip - Michael Jackson's back catalogue ...

Hackers steal Michael's back catalogue?

Add a Comment

Sign in »

51 Comments

Filter by:

Ralph

a friend's sister-in-law makes $65 hourly on the laptop. She has been laid off for 6 months but last month her pay was $19426 just working on the laptop for a few hours. Go to this web site and read more NuttyRich dot com

March 07 2012 at 3:58 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dennis D

Who gives a rats azz

March 05 2012 at 10:41 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

pbgardenpet

Who would want them?

March 05 2012 at 10:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

rb114e

He Was A Frigging Child Molester You Big Dummies! He Needed To Be Hung!

March 05 2012 at 10:10 AM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Reply

rb114e

He Was A Frigging Child Molester, You Big Dummies!

March 05 2012 at 10:08 AM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Reply

Kerry

There might be a very good reason this material was never released that being it was not good. No artist is able to create one masterpiece after the other, Jackson was no exception to this. His family must be furious not because it will show Michaels weakest material but they didn't get to make millions on it.

March 05 2012 at 9:54 AM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Reply

seabeeutcn

Good for them.

March 05 2012 at 9:50 AM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Reply

darknight815

I got an idea, why don't we put millions of dollars worth in profit from a guy who's now dead on this computer that is hooked up to the internet. I mean its not like PSN, xbox live, FBI, banks or anyone else gets hacked. LOL, give me a break this has got to be either the best dumb dumb move i have ever seen, or an insurance scam.

March 05 2012 at 7:56 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

Jim Gordon

Just like Tiger Woods, you can't hide from your Truth, because In the end it will find you out!

March 05 2012 at 7:43 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

pwgdavidjames

Michael Jackson was a gifted and talented individual. For you haters who call him a molester, show us the proof, please. He was NEVER convicted of child abuse or molestation. You may think he did. You may assume he did. You hate enough, you may even wish he did. But the truth is the truth. He was a child trapped in an adult body. His music will live on, well past the time you and your hatred are long forgotten.

March 05 2012 at 7:01 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to pwgdavidjames's comment

goro72

You are young and naieve all those familes were paid off, settled out of court, to avoid any damages to both him and the kids. If he was innocent then why not fight and clear his name and say "No, I will not be taken advantage of." I am Michael Jackson not a Child molester see you in court.
ask Cory Feldmen why he didn't out and defend his pal Michael. Instaed he declined to be interviewed. He hung around Micheal for a real long time.
I don't hate the man. I enjoy his music but that is all. I can't like him. if he doesn't defend himself.

March 05 2012 at 8:42 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to goro72's comment

xalpha

@goro72- You may think he is young and NAIVE..., but nonetheless he is 100% correct, The Gloved 1 was NEVER convicted of a crime! Your opinion is your own and not based in any facts other than a hyped up negative media structure we have in this country and is probably rooted somewhere deep in your personal history.
You on the other hand are the one who is disillusioned because in this Great land of America you must defend yourself against SLANDEROUS attacks whether true or false. For entertainers reputation is an important key to success; even though you are innocent you must quickly extinguish any negative light on yourself and it is simpler to toss a few dollar now and maintain your rep, than to have your life dragged through the media's distorted view of fairness. It is unfortunate that the society in which we have come to embrace is very money hungry and lazy, where by it is far easier to sue someone for what they have gained through talent and brains as opposed to working to obtain the same level of wealth.

March 05 2012 at 10:52 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down