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

An Emmy Award won by Whitney Houston 30 years ago is the focus of a legal fight.

The television academy filed a lawsuit to block an auction house and the late pop star's estate from selling her trophy.

According to Wednesday's lawsuit, Emmy statuettes remain the property of the TV academy and any sale violates the organization's rights.

Greg Rohan, president of Heritage Auctions, said the academy's action is without merit and ignores precedent.

He said the Emmy trophy was consigned by Houston's family and is being auctioned online for a starting bid of $10,000.  Houston won it in 1986 for a Grammy performance.

The TV academy also filed a request for a temporary restraining order to halt the auction.

The academy declined comment Wednesday on the pending litigation, a spokesman said.

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