Elvis Presley Enterprises

[1] EPE's business extends far beyond the Graceland operation, and includes worldwide licensing of Elvis-related products and ventures, the development of Elvis-related music, film, video, television and stage productions, the ongoing development of EPE's Internet presence and the management of significant music publishing assets.

[4] Due to an ill-advised agreement between Parker and Elvis which gave RCA sole ownership of all his recording royalties prior to 1973, the estate was relying heavily on the income from Factors Etc.

[4] Priscilla and the Trust weren't prepared to let Parker continue to handle Elvis's business affairs, and petitioned the court to that end.

[5] However, Judge Joseph Evans, aware that Lisa Marie Presley was still a minor, appointed attorney Blanchard E. Tual to investigate Parker's management.

[6] The case against Parker was settled out of court in 1983, with the estate paying him $2 million,[6] and the termination of his involvement in any Elvis related earnings for five years.

[6] In late 1981, the estate hired Jack Soden, at the time a Missouri investment counselor, to plan and execute the opening of Graceland to the public and oversee the total operation.

[4] Following many court cases against business and private parties, EPE helped to push through new copyright and trademark legislation in the United States.

The author describes EPE as a "well-run marketing machine" that runs on tight regulation of Elvis's images and lawsuits, when necessary.

Since 1979 "EPE has filed more than a hundred lawsuits to assert the estate's exclusive right to Elvis's name and likeness".