Judge OKs Jackson Merchandising Deal

'Tasteful yet profitable' marketing of singer's death rakes in $1B

(NEWSER) - Estate of Elvis Presley, watch out: You may yet be eclipsed by Michael Jackson. Jackson died on the brink of financial collapse, but a year later his estate is booming. Last year he sold 8.3 million albums in the US—more than any other artist—and the posthumously released movie Michael Jackson's This Is It grossed $261 million worldwide. The estate has made an estimated $1 billion over the last year, but observers disagree on whether Jackson's on track to surpass Presley as the ultimate entertainment estate. More»

Estate awards allowance while singer's affairs are settled

(NEWSER) - Michael Jackson’s estate pays his mother $86,804 every month, the LA Times reports. Estate administrators set up the allowance because the pop singer’s estate—worth an estimated $500 million—is so vast that settling it in court could take years. The allowance pays Katherine Jackson $26,804 every month for her own expenses and $60,000 to be spent on Michael’s three children. None of the money has to go to housing expenses, because Jackson’s estate is paying the mortgage on the Encino ranch separately. More»

(NEWSER) - Michael Jackson's estate is bigger and healthier than it's ever been, the New York Times reports. A little over six weeks after his death, the late singer has raked in $100 million through merchandising and movie deals, and will likely earn another $100 million more before the end of the year. Jackson appears almost certain to overtake Elvis Presley as the world's top-earning dead entertainer. More»

(NEWSER) - Michael Jackson's autopsy has been completed, but authorities won't release the results until after their investigation into his death has been completed, reports CNN. Detectives are investigating what role the anesthetic propofol—administered by Dr. Conrad Murphy—played in the singer's death, according to sources. Meanwhile, Jackson's three children are being appointed a guardian to look out for their business interests, reports the Wall Street Journal. More»

Fans will get to see rehearsals for London concerts

(AP) - Audiences will get to see the King of Pop perform one more time after a judge approved a major movie deal based on footage of his final rehearsals for his London comeback. A Los Angeles superior court judge greenlighted a deal between Michael Jackson's estate, concert promoter AEG Live, and Columbia Pictures on Friday and announced his ruling today. More»