UPDATE - #133: the whole thing may be illegal - Blanket, Prince, Paris first autographs up for sale

[marc_vivien]

i think that Bravado & this compony are working on a deal

 

[blankyluvdoodoo]

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z195/sparkletags4/import/graphics/Funny/lol-cat-funny.png

so cute.
i hope jacksons are feeling the heat .i am just waiting for bravado to release any statement.
some time i have this urge to write a letter to Katherine and remind her what her son wanted for his kids.i am not blaming her but its high time she needs to make a right call.this is offtopic but i saw randy jr.prom pics from that i can say they still live in encino with ppb.so Katherine step up and do the right thing.

 

[mjjfan4ever]

I wish the adults in the lives of the children had better judgment.

The children are susceptible to participating in anything that is promoted to them as something positive for their father or his legacy or the legacy of the family or whatever.

The number of self serving, self promoting, self interested, money seeking people in the lives of the Jackson family and in turn in the lives of the children is quite scary.

 

[Courtney]

Re: *** Blanket, Prince, Paris first autographs up for sale ***

Michael Jackson Estate -- MJ Belts Are Bogus!

Originally posted 45 minutes ago by TMZ Staff
An extremely fancy belt commemorating Michael Jackson -- and allegedly "sanctioned" by Joe Jackson and Katherine Jackson -- can be yours for the bargain basement price of $1,500 -- problem is ... the whole thing may be illegal.

Check out this picture we got -- showing Joe and Katherine Jackson signing one of the belts ... and according to the official website promoting the belts, MJ's three kids -- Prince, Paris, and Blanket -- also signed their names.

Here's the problem. The belts feature several images trademarked by Michael Jackson -- including dancing feet, MJ's silhouette and the MJ crest -- and MJ's estate must authorize any commercial use of those trademarks, as well as MJ's name or image.


So of course we called MJ estate lawyer Howard Weitzman, who said the belts were news to him and that the executors never authorized the sale. Weitzman says, "The Trustees of the Estate of Michael Jackson did not authorize the making or the sale of the Michael Jackson Tribute Belts." Weitzman continues, "We would never condone the use of Michael's children's signatures to promote the sale of merchandise."

We haven't found out who's behind the website ... but Jerry Olivarez, a PR guy and friend of the Jackson family, has been touting the sale of the belts. We're told the site goes live today and 7,000 belts will go up for sale. And, there will be an auction for the belt signed by Joe, Katherine, and the kids -- opening bid is $5 grand.

Attempts to speak with Olivarez were unsuccessful.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/#ixzz0p7MHNHzb

Oh man...

I hope this gets resolved.

I just wish people would stop looking at these children as money. Whatever is going on, I hope it gets fixed..

 

[marc_vivien]

maybe more news on TMZ live in the next 45 minutes?

 

[Ashtanga]

Re: *** Blanket, Prince, Paris first autographs up for sale ***

Michael Jackson Estate -- MJ Belts Are Bogus!

Originally posted 45 minutes ago by TMZ Staff
An extremely fancy belt commemorating Michael Jackson -- and allegedly "sanctioned" by Joe Jackson and Katherine Jackson -- can be yours for the bargain basement price of $1,500 -- problem is ... the whole thing may be illegal.

Check out this picture we got -- showing Joe and Katherine Jackson signing one of the belts ... and according to the official website promoting the belts, MJ's three kids -- Prince, Paris, and Blanket -- also signed their names.

Here's the problem. The belts feature several images trademarked by Michael Jackson -- including dancing feet, MJ's silhouette and the MJ crest -- and MJ's estate must authorize any commercial use of those trademarks, as well as MJ's name or image.


So of course we called MJ estate lawyer Howard Weitzman, who said the belts were news to him and that the executors never authorized the sale. Weitzman says, "The Trustees of the Estate of Michael Jackson did not authorize the making or the sale of the Michael Jackson Tribute Belts." Weitzman continues, "We would never condone the use of Michael's children's signatures to promote the sale of merchandise."

We haven't found out who's behind the website ... but Jerry Olivarez, a PR guy and friend of the Jackson family, has been touting the sale of the belts. We're told the site goes live today and 7,000 belts will go up for sale. And, there will be an auction for the belt signed by Joe, Katherine, and the kids -- opening bid is $5 grand.

Attempts to speak with Olivarez were unsuccessful.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/#ixzz0p7MHNHzb

:doh:

:sigh:

"We would never condone the use of Michael's children's signatures to promote the sale of merchandise."

:clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

 

[lamb7]

A sincere thank you to Howard Weitzman and the Trustees.
I hope you can do something about this.

 

[AllForLove]

Quote:
"We would never condone the use of Michael's children's signatures to promote the sale of merchandise."

Supposing the sale has been allowed, is it under the authority of the trustees to allow or not the kid's signatures ? I'm astonished by what they have said :scratch:

 

[Sophielo]

Looks like this is yet another collosal mess that could have been avoided. How on earth this happened I have no idea.

 

[CherubimII]

i think that Bravado & this compony are working on a deal

I think your are right about this; but I, also, think the MJ Estate has told
the Jacksons that this is a one time deal, only.

 

[JMie]

Supposing the sale has been allowed, is it under the authority of the trustees to allow or not the kid's signatures ? I'm astonished by what they have said

it's in their authority to allow the sale of merchandise. of course, they can't forbid the kids to sign anything. (nor can they forbid the the family make/ask the kids to sign anything). but they can forbid the sale of the merchandise completely, that's my understanding..

 

[MJJ:G.O.A.T]

Re: *** Blanket, Prince, Paris first autographs up for sale ***

Are the Jacksons testing the estate??? Trying to see how much they can get away with...?

Hmpf. I wonder. Perhaps Joe is. I guess he won't be dropping that legal objection any time soon.

I'm sure it was Joe's idea, but why on Earth Katherine can't say "no" to Joe? I know Michael loved her and it's natural, but IMO she is a weak woman and Joe could manipulate her all her life. Exploiting their children and now also their grandchildren. SMH.

I'm glad the Estate stepped in! I know some fans don't like them, but they are treating Michael's legacy and children with respect - unlike his own family!

BTW, what is Diana Ross doing these days?

I really feel that Katherine was convinced by Joe to do this for the good of the Jackson family museum. You know that she sees the family legacy as very important and wants to support her family. Having the kids sign a belt pales in comparison to what Joe made Jackie, Marlon, Tito, Jermaine and Michael do.

Diana is currently touring. I really hope that she is keeping in contact with Prince, Paris and Blanket.

Michael was very biased to his mother (naturally). He didn't or didn't want to see her weaknesses. (Although judging by what he said on the Glenda tapes, he actually saw that Katherine is easily manipulated by Joe. But who else he could have left his kids to? )

I honestly can't think of anyone else other than Diana and perhaps Rebbie. He knew exactly what he was doing.

To me it seemed like you were criticising Michael's decision. But as we know, this isn't Michael, it's his family causing the problems.

To those who are questioning why some fans are so upset about this. Remember how passionate Michael was about not letting his kids be seen in public? They literally had nothing to do with the media, we heard nothing about them they were simply kids being kids and he did a fantastic job of keeping their lives like that. It seems that not even a year later not only is that being disregarded but this could be the beginnings of a lot more to come. THAT is why we're concerned. I worry about them, I really do. If the belt was just going into the museum, ok it would be bad but not as bad, but for this to be sold :no: It makes me feel uneasy to say the least.

:clapping: :clapping:

Diana makes concerts, so it will be impossible for her, even if she didn't make concerts, I think the kids will stay with the Jackson.

Maybe one daugther of Rebbie, or one cousin of Michael will take the kids. It will be better that the loosers pathetics brothers or Joe.

They really want just money! Unbelievable, money, everything for money....

It's not impossible for Diana. This tour she is doing is in the U.S. only and not even the entire U.S. It seems like the Northern states mostly. So she is touring when she feels like it. But I agree, I think the kids will stay with the Jackson family. Now after Katharine passes...it may be a fight to keep them there since they are to go to Diana. God only knows what will happen. She may pass after they become adults.

it's everywhere on blogs and forums and even the most hardcore sustainers of the J family who usually defend them no matter what are raising their eyebrows in disbelief....how come that random ppl busy gossiping around have more respect and have more at heart those kids than the ppl who should protect them?

btw those belts look cheap as hell..those poor kids let to believe they are doing it for their father...this is the thing that piss me off the most,to make cheap deals behind their naive backs,the kids are smart but it's still a very delicate moment and they are just kids.
Their names are always associated with tacky activities in the press and it's NOT their fault,the stun gun,those videos and the leaked pics now those cheap belts......WTF?!
It sad to know that an old shark like the MJ estate lawyer has more regard for them then their own blood...what a shame!!

You are right. I have been on another forum that is packed with family fans and they are all talking about how this is exploitation and that Michael is spinning in his grave.

This is just so EMBARRASSING!

Here you have a stranger saying what the grandparents SHOULD be saying, i.e. "we would never condone the use of Michael's children's signature to promote the sale of merchandise." Straight up pitiful!

MEMEFAN: good catch regarding Bravado. I too was under the impression that this company would be in-charge of ALL merchandising. This P.R. guy is going to be facing a lawsuit messing around with Joe Jackson and his bright ideas. If they make any money, they will end up spending all of their profits defending themselves against a lawsuit brought by Bravado. LOL!

:yes: AMEN!

Look at David Beckahm's kids, an 11 year old and he's modelling and he's put in the paper. No one's saying anything.

But OH MY GOD, Jacksons kids signed a belt to commemorate their father TRAGEDY!! IRRESPONSIBLE JACKSONS.

Give it a break.

Brooklyn Beckham is NOT modeling. He showed up with his mom to an event and they took pictures of him. Of course, tabloids like the DailyMail are saying "look at how he dresses like his dad!" Its no different than other celebs taking their kids to premieres and their picture getting snapped.

I think this thread will turn into another battle about Michael's will. Still I'll remind that it was Michael's decision to name those executors. He could have named Joe or any other member of the family and he did not. He could have named Joe or any other Jackson as the kids guardian after Katherine passes (may she live a long life) but he did not. What does it tell us? It tells us that he didn't want his relatives no where near his money or his kids. Why? Because he knew them all too well. And guess what? After Michael passed, they've been proving him right every single day!

:clapping:

 

[twinklEE]

Quote:
"We would never condone the use of Michael's children's signatures to promote the sale of merchandise."

Supposing the sale has been allowed, is it under the authority of the trustees to allow or not the kid's signatures ? I'm astonished by what they have said :scratch:

Just shows u that strangers are able to understand this but the own family seems to have turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to Michael's wishes. He said that they'd never exploit them in the way Joe/Katherine and the company selling these cheap belts does/did. That alone should tell any sane thinking person someone. They'd never do what they did to them period. The estate does not control minors signatures but the name, brand, and likeness along with everything else associated to Michael Jackson that is what they are in control of, which is why Joseph can't just go around doing whatever the hell he wants as he has no rights those things whatsoever.

 

[JMie]

Just shows u that strangers are able to understand this but the own family seems to have turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to Michael's wishes. He said that they'd never exploit them in the way Joe/Katherine and the company selling these cheap belts does/did. That alone should tell any sane thinking person someone. They'd never do what they did to them period. The estate does not control minors signatures but the name, brand, and likeness along with everything else associated to Michael Jackson that is what they are in control of, which is why Joseph can't just go around doing whatever the hell he wants as he has no rights those things whatsoever.

sometimes I really think that the family just doesn't see anything wrong about it. it seems normal to them. it's their usual behaviour. I think they might even be surprised what response their actions are getting because to them it's completely normal.

sad.

 

[blankyluvdoodoo]

Looks like this is yet another collosal mess that could have been avoided. How on earth this happened I have no idea.

every thing joe touches its a mess up till now Michael was there to cover everything ,now he is gone so we can see what mess this family creates.

 

[AllForLove]

it's in their authority to allow the sale of merchandise. of course, they can't forbid the kids to sign anything. (nor can they forbid the the family make/ask the kids to sign anything). but they can forbid the sale of the merchandise completely, that's my understanding..

:agreef course that's what I understood too, that's their job, but they were talking as if they were also involved about the kids "they would never condone", that's why I was wondering :cheeky:

 

[blankyluvdoodoo]

sometimes I really think that the family just doesn't see anything wrong about it. it seems normal to them. it's their usual behaviour. I think they might even be surprised what response their actions are getting because to them it's completely normal.

sad.

i agree with u .sadly they just blame media and people outside the family ,that those are trying to break their family ,just ridiculous.

 

[Sophielo]

I'm trying my hardest here but I cannot see why this is happening. The belt is beautiful yes but why is it being sold to fund a museum about their family? If it was being auctioned for charity then that's different but why this? Also it would be different if Katherine, Joe, Janet, Jermaine etc were signing this but I'm still trying to work out why Michael's kids would sign this? I know that they aren't young kids and can make up their own minds but lets be honest, no matter how old you get its difficult to say no to the people that cared for you and brought you up. I'm 24 and still can't say no if my mum asks me to do something. I just find it so sad that the kids already are signing things to be sold to essentially profit the family, especially when we all know how hard Michael worked at protecting them from the media. These are kids that this time last year were wearing masks to cover their faces, now they're on TV making appearances, appearing on YouTube videos, followed everywhere my paps, and signing belts. Michael would be devastated if he knew what was happening.

 

[Big Apple2]

Supposing the sale has been allowed, is it under the authority of the trustees to allow or not the kid's signatures ? I'm astonished by what they have said :scratch:

I think that at this point, although the estate didn't give their authorization, this present matter is between the "belt people" AND Bravado, since Bravado apparently does have a contract with the estate to sell merchandise.

It's Bravado who has the deal, so the "belt people" are actually infringing upon said contract. So bottomline, it's not just the estate. It's ALSO Bravado and I'm sure they are not happy about somebody else coming along and taking money out of their pockets.

 

[MJJ:G.O.A.T]

sometimes I really think that the family just doesn't see anything wrong about it. it seems normal to them. it's their usual behaviour. I think they might even be surprised what response their actions are getting because to them it's completely normal.

sad.

Yup. Like I said before having the kids sign a belt pales in comparison to what Joe made Jackie, Marlon, Tito, Jermaine and Michael do. It may only be the beginning of them being asked to do things for the family.

 

[twinklEE]

sometimes I really think that the family just doesn't see anything wrong about it. it seems normal to them. it's their usual behaviour. I think they might even be surprised what response their actions are getting because to them it's completely normal.

sad.

That's exactly the point to them there is nothing wrong with their behavior to this day both of them Katherine and Joe deny abuse took place with Michael. Refuse to acknowledge the harm (they) he (Joe) caused by his (their) actions. Sweeping everything under the rug and then cry foul is normal behavior to them. Bet you Randall will be ranting about people wrongfully going after his holy family around the weekend. All these years have passed, so much has happened to them one son has already died, one would think at this mature age u'd own up and learn from ur mistakes u don't go around trying to repeat them in trying to exploit other minors this is just the beginning, I'm convinced Joe sees $$ signs in his eyes while looking at those three children of Michael, heck he even admitted it indirectly around summer last year. All this is just despicable and the worst part is it's just the beginning. Just the beginning, in the weeks, months and years to come we will hear more and more. Joseph is in search of a new cash cow and it's obvious

I'm 24 and still can't say no if my mum asks me to do something. I just find it so sad that the kids already are signing things to be sold to essentially profit the family, especially when we all know how hard Michael worked at protecting them from the media. These are kids that this time last year were wearing masks to cover their faces, now they're on TV making appearances, appearing on YouTube videos, followed everywhere my paps, and signing belts. Michael would be devastated if he knew what was happening.

No one has their best interest at heart, b/c their own interests differ from the kids best interest period. No one cares about them the way Michael did NO ONE including KAtherine. Michael was their father and they were his life. He made sure to protect, he made sure they stayed outta the mess, he made sure of that. The events of the past year only back up my claims as any reasonable person can see. I'm going to quote someone on another board who said that ever since Michael died he hasn't stopped spinning in his grave and I totally agree. There was not one day in which he didn't spin, especially because what has happened to his children. Michael's children are with them b/c they are, it's not like those kids have a parent anymore nobody will step up for them, this Jackson family is an extremely big family it's like they are their own tribe lol and all the adults in that family care about THEIR OWN children, why should they care about Michael's?! Of course there is love but love, but the love the love they have for their own children is way bigger than whatever sympathy/love they might have for these parentless kids, that's the sad part of it. When ur 12 or 13 u do whatever u grandparents/parents tell u, the thought of someone using u doesn't even cross ur mind, especially when the people are the ones who are supposed to take care of. In their minds they probably thought, they did a great thing for the legacy of their dad father (similar to picking up the Grammy for him), their love for their father was used by the grown ups. As for Blanket that child still plays with action figures he just did whatever his siblings did, without thinking about it at all. The problem here is not just their signatures, it's a way bigger situation and this thing if it's not stopped is going to lead into another one, and another one, and another one. This is just the start of of something much more serious, clearly some are trying to get new cash cows as the old one is dead, the people knew damn well their own signatures wouldn't do ish hence involved the children, it's like it was back in the good ol' days when Joseph would come up with a tasteless tacky and lousy business idea, but knew he wasn't able to pull it off, ran to Michael begging/demanding/blackmailing/ridiculing (u were nothing if it wasn't for me u owe me) type of thing. Trying to get Michael's participation into something to get sponsors etc, only this time he got that of his dead son's minor children's, knowing full well his own signature, name etc doesn't do ish to get whatever he wants, which is mostly money.

 

[AllForLove]

sometimes I really think that the family just doesn't see anything wrong about it. it seems normal to them. it's their usual behaviour. I think they might even be surprised what response their actions are getting because to them it's completely normal.

sad.

It's true - In their mind they must think that they don't have to ask permission to use Michael's name because they are family, however it's the designer who will be sued by Bravado not the Jacksons - Am I wrong ?

 

[Big Apple2]

It's true - In their mind they must think that they don't have to ask permission to use Michael's name because they are family, however it's the designer who will be sued by Bravado not the Jacksons - Am I wrong ?

Nope! In my opinion it will be Bravado, and in turn the designer will sue Joe and Katherine, because of the time, material and embarressment this has caused him and his business.

(I'm not sure how well his business is doing, but this certainly would cause a CREDIBILITY issue for his company, which could damage business with other clients in the future.)

 

[moonstreet]

OMG, What Katherine and Joseph are doing is soo soo wrong on many levels.

Michael fought to protect his childrens privacy, to keep them away from the wheeling and dealing of the entertainment world, where everything is just seen as a superficial commodity. He kept them out of the public eye and gave them the gift of annominity which he never had.

Now less then 1 year after loosing him, the person who he trusted to to take care of his children HAS AUTHORISED THE SALE OF THEIR FIRST AUTOGRAPH!! OMG, what a betrayal of Michaels trust. It makes me sick and breaks my heart.

Its basically the same as prostution, selling off the first autograph to the highest bidder, is just the same as brothels / pimps selling the virginity of prostitutes!!

And before you condemn me for disrespecting Michaels parents, I have met both of them. Katherine is a very sweet lady but she is weak when it comes to things about Joseph. He is just a sleezy old man always looking for the next deal, the next big thing, and unfortunatly, his grandchildrens first autograph is to him, a golden opportunity not to be missed!!

It seems the the very people who Michael thought he could trust are just the same as everyone else, more concerned about using his name to make money. As these belts are not authorised by the Estate, and use copywrite images, lets hope the whole farce gets stopped quick. Unfortunatly even if the estate stop the sale of the belts, most likely the auction of the childrens autogrpahs will still go ahead.

The children have no idea how valulable their autograph is, they saw Michael signing stuff all the time, so propabbly thought nothing of it. Joseph on the other hand, knows full well just how valulable THIER FIRST AUTOGRPAH IS. Thats what makes this who thing so sick, the fact that he is just cares about the money. When this auction goes ahead, thats it, thats their first autograph, the dealers will be stalking thier every move.

Having seen first hand here at the film premireres in London, the aggressivness and uglyness of the professional autograph dealers, it makes me sick to know that the dealers will be after the children like that.

Just like the paps are out for the "money shot" the "exclusive" which will make them thousands, so too the professional autograph dealers are out for the rare autographs, stalking the celebs, printing off photos from the internet, pushing real fans out of the way and being just as nasty and aggressive as the paps.

Just wait, the next time the children are papped, there will be dealers trying to get them to sign stuff

Shame on you Katherine, you have lost all my repect

 

[AllForLove]

Nope! In my opinion it will be Bravado, and in turn the designer will sue Joe and Katherine, because of the time, material and embarressment this has caused him and his business.

(I'm not sure how well his business is doing, but this certainly would cause a CREDIBILITY issue for his company, which could damage business with other clients in the future.)

Well ... CNN say "The sale has been put on hold while lawyers discuss a solution" perhaps they'll find a deal finally avoiding all mess - we'll see - However I hope someone could explain to the kids the how and the why of all this, they must know.

 

[twinklEE]

Nope! In my opinion it will be Bravado, and in turn the designer will sue Joe and Katherine, because of the time, material and embarressment this has caused him and his business.

(I'm not sure how well his business is doing, but this certainly would cause a CREDIBILITY issue for his company, which could damage business with other clients in the future.)

If Bravado sues them, the business is going to sue Katherine and Joe for sure,.. maybe they will learn this time as Michael is dead and ain't able to clean their mess, I highly doubt he'd do it even if he were still living considering how his children's signatures are being used for their own personal, financial gain which is against everything the man stood for and tried to prevent in the last 12 years of his life.

 

[twinklEE]

Well ... CNN say "The sale has been put on hold while lawyers discuss a solution" perhaps they'll find a deal finally avoiding all mess - we'll see - However I hope someone could explain to the kids the how and the why of all this, they must know.

The children will be told the usual BS, the estate executors will be blamed as usual, they'll probably conveniently leave out the part that they have no rights whatsoever to the name of MJ, his likeliness etc and knew it from the beginning.

 

[prismsagainst5live]

Well ... CNN say "The sale has been put on hold while lawyers discuss a solution" perhaps they'll find a deal finally avoiding all mess - we'll see - However I hope someone could explain to the kids the how and the why of all this, they must know.

the kids will know one day. Please let that day be soon.

 

[ivy]

when I posted that info, the auction was active. it wrote "starting bid $5,000, next bid $5,000 and there are no bids on this auction"...

could it be cease and desist ?

auction is not active

This auction is currently closed.

Bidding is scheduled to begin:

06/01/2010 07:00:00 PM PST

now it doesn't even say June 1st. It says "The auction start is pending and this page will be updated when the auction has begun."

It sure looks like estate and/or Bravado asked them to stop. Probably they are hoping to find a middle way but cannot give a time anymore.

We would never condone the use of Michael's children's signatures to promote the sale of merchandise."

Supposing the sale has been allowed, is it under the authority of the trustees to allow or not the kid's signatures ? I'm astonished by what they have said :scratch:

it's in their authority to allow the sale of merchandise. of course, they can't forbid the kids to sign anything. (nor can they forbid the the family make/ask the kids to sign anything). but they can forbid the sale of the merchandise completely, that's my understanding..

JMie is correct. Estate does not have any authority over kids signatures. They can sign whatever they want. In this case however the belt that they have signed has 3-4 images of Michael. In addition to Michael Jackson name at least the feet logo and TII pose (also seen on the MJ angel chain) is trademarked. Furthermore they need to have estate's permission to use Michael's image and likeliness.

So in short they cant claim authority over kids signatures, however they can stop the sale/auction if MJ's name, image and likeliness is used without permission.

:agreef course that's what I understood too, that's their job, but they were talking as if they were also involved about the kids "they would never condone", that's why I was wondering :cheeky:

I think they just mean that they don't agree with letting kids to sign the belt.

I know that they aren't young kids and can make up their own minds but lets be honest, no matter how old you get its difficult to say no to the people that cared for you and brought you up. I'm 24 and still can't say no if my mum asks me to do something.

Exactly what I think. They might know what they want and do not want, what they like and do not like however they might not easily say so. Heck I'm 34 and still cannot say no to my parents.

 

[ForeverKOP]

HLN News Report...
"Basically to help pay the bills" LOL