TV academy sues to block auction of Whitney Houston’s Emmy

According to Wednesday’s lawsuit, Emmy statuettes remain the property of the TV academy and any sale violates the organization’s rights. Houston won her Emmy in 1986 for her performance of “Saving All My Love for You” during the Grammy Awards show.

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has sued Whitney Houston‘s estate and an auction house to stop them from selling the late singer’s Emmy award.

Houston’s trophy is now listed at United States dollars 10,000 on Heritage Auctions’ website along with her other belongings such as her passports and wedding dress.

The Television Academy, represented by attorney David Quinto, also succeeded in the factor necessary in obtaining a TRO by convincing the judge it would suffer irreparable harm with the transfer of Whitney Houston’s Emmy.

Academy of Television Arts and Sciences claims Emmy Awards are merely “loaned out” and can not be sold as personal property.

“We fought the good fight, but we respect the court’s decision”, said Heritage Auctions spokesman Eric Bradley.

“Contrary to Heritage’s assertion that the Television Academy is attempting to enforce an agreement between the Television Academy and Ms. Houston that she did not sign or agree to be bound by, the label is instead evidence of the Television Academy’s ownership of the statuette, not evidence of an unenforceable agreement between the parties”, he continued.

U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson issued a temporary restraining order Thursday against Heritage Auctions and the pop star’s estate, which planned to sell the Emmy. “In addition, Heritage Auctions will donate our entire commission earned on the sale of the Emmy to a charity of the Houston family’s choice”, the statement said.

The singer drowned in a bathtub at the age of 48 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, with cocaine and heart disease listed as contributing factors. More than three dozen other people have sold Emmys at auction, and the Academy let them slide.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge has blocked the sale of Whitney Houston’s Emmy Award that the late singer’s family had put up for auction.