http://www.tmz.com/2010/03/16/michael-jackson-record-deal-sony-entertainment-albums-music-estate/ 

Michael Jackson Estate Inks Record, Record Deal

Posted Mar 16th 2010 8:10AM by TMZ Staff

TMZ has confirmed the Michael Jackson estate has signed the biggest deal ever in music -- worth up to $250 million with a guarantee of $200 million. 

The estate made the deal with Sony Music Entertainment -- the contract is for 10 projects over seven years.

One album will debut in November, which contains never-before released recordings. We're told Jackson left enough material for at least three albums of fresh material. 

A source tells TMZ the royalty rate on foreign sales is the key to the deal -- and 2/3 of the sales of MJ records traditionally have been outside the U.S.

And we're told Sony gets a two-year extension for the right to distribute the Michael Jackson catalog -- to 2017. 

The deal has nothing to do with The Beatles' catalog -- it's all about MJ original recordings.

The agreement was brokered by John Branca and John McClain, executors of the MJ estate.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2010/03/16/michael-jackson-record-deal-sony-entertainment-albums-music-estate/#ixzz0iMCaFsQT