LEGAL FILE

What Would Ludwig Say?: The Cleveland Orchestra sued Michael Jackson for allegedly using its recording of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony on his “Dangerous” album. The copyright infringement lawsuit filed in a New York federal court on Friday seeks $7 million from Jackson and his company, MJJ Productions. Also named are his record label, Epic Records, and Sony Music Entertainment Inc. A choral snippet from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, “uniquely interpreted and conducted by the late George Szell,” is heard at the beginning of Jackson’s song, “Will You Be There,” according to the lawsuit. Thomas Morris, the orchestra’s executive director, said the ensemble received no credit. The orchestra recorded the symphony in 1961. Jackson’s attorney said he didn’t know which recording of the symphony Jackson used.