Manu Dibango - a 75-year-old Cameroonian singer - is taking the pair to court, claiming they jointly stole part of his 1972 song "Soul Makossa."
Jackson has already admitted using part of Dibango's track in his single "Wanna Be Startin' Something" - which was included in his 1983 album "Thriller."
He reached a settlement with the musician years ago.
The new lawsuit alleges Jackson, 50, allowed Rihanna to use part of his hit in her single "Please Don't Stop the Music" without Dibango's permission.
Laywers for Dibango - who lives in Paris and is reportedly seeking $650,000 in damages - have asked French courts to stop record labels Sony BMG, EMI and Warner from receiving any money from the record until the case has been settled.
It was recently reported Jackson is being sued for $1million by the creator of his "Thriller" music video.
Filmmaker John Landis is taking the singer to court to reclaim four years of unpaid royalties - because they signed a contract in 1983 granting Landis half of all profits earned from the video.
