Hardest Working Lawyers in Showbiz

Photo © Michael Ochs Archives/Corbis The late great James Brown was not much for tidy endings. In his legendary shows, he always liked to stage a fake toward the end, with band members dramatically reviving the Godfather of Soul for one last encore. After his death on Christmas Day in 2006, his will, possessions, and even burial place were hotly disputed by those he left behind. Now, the attorneys for Brown's estate are caught up in a posthumous battle with another entertainment giant — Corbis Corp.

By Popphoto Staff on July 11, 2008

The late great James Brown was not much for tidy endings. In his legendary shows, he always liked to stage a fake "collapse" toward the end, with band members dramatically reviving the Godfather of Soul for one last encore. After his death on Christmas Day in 2006, his will, possessions, and even burial place were hotly disputed by those he left behind. Now, the attorneys for Brown's estate are caught up in a posthumous battle with another entertainment giant — Corbis Corp. — over the commercial usage and "right of publicity" to photographs of Brown. (Above is one of Corbis's images of Brown, by music photographer Michael Ochs, showing dance moves to the game host of The Lloyd Thaxton show in 1964.)