Jackson image rights decision awaited

Deals relating to Michael Jackson’s image rights are hanging in the balance, pending a decision from a judge in the US.

Contracts for merchandising deals relating to the entertainer, who died at the age of 50 in June, have been submitted by AEG Live and part of the Universal Music Group.

If given the go-ahead, millions of pounds worth of official products bearing Jackson’s image would go on sale.

These are likely to include video games, clothing, calendars and trading cards.

Jeryll S Cohen, a lawyer for the administrators of Jackson’s estate, gave an outline of how much the deals could be worth in court papers quoted by the Associated Press.

Merchandising, film and entertainment connected to the entertainer would generate advances ’in the high eight figures’, he commented.

Speaking to the BBC, branding expert Andy Milligan added: ’Any owner for the image rights of Michael Jackson is going to know that there isn’t anything more that you can throw at this brand so it’s likely to attain its appeal going forward.’ADNFCR-2318-ID-19309052-ADNFCR