Michael Jackson Estate -- MJ Belts Are Bogus!

JukeBox

Originally posted May 27th 2010 1:00 AM PDT 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.


http://photos.tmz.com/galleries/michael_jacksons_belt

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: <!-- m -->http://www.tmz.com/2010/05/26/michael-j ... z0p7E2Lgmz<!-- m -->

msteetee34

Okay if Joe and Katherine are really grieving parents then why would they be so quick to auction off their son's belongings? They are even signing the belts themselves. One of the belts has Blankets signature on it too. If MJ truly died I don't feel Katherine would be able to part with his things so easily. Especially his belts. Those are like really personal he actually wore those and they have his trademark on them. If I were related to MJ I would want to keep those items. I'm sure he owned a lot of clothes and belts but still.

Unknown

Okay if Joe and Katherine are really grieving parents then why would they be so quick to auction off their son's belongings? They are even signing the belts themselves. One of the belts has Blankets signature on it too. If MJ truly died I don't feel Katherine would be able to part with his things so easily. Especially his belts. Those are like really personal he actually wore those and they have his trademark on them. If I were related to MJ I would want to keep those items. I'm sure he owned a lot of clothes and belts but still.

These were NOT worn by Michael. They have been created using his trademarked images.

msteetee34

Okay if Joe and Katherine are really grieving parents then why would they be so quick to auction off their son's belongings? They are even signing the belts themselves. One of the belts has Blankets signature on it too. If MJ truly died I don't feel Katherine would be able to part with his things so easily. Especially his belts. Those are like really personal he actually wore those and they have his trademark on them. If I were related to MJ I would want to keep those items. I'm sure he owned a lot of clothes and belts but still.

These were NOT worn by Michael. They have been created using his trademarked images.

Oh okay I see because if those were really his belts I was thinking that would be cold blooded to auction them off. However if they are just belts made with his trade mark symbols then that's a different story.

Ijustcantstoplovingu

I dont think this is necessarily about the belts for sale in that context <!-- s:roll: -->:roll:<!-- s:roll: --> I look at it from a slightly different angle, "Bogus" means fake or false, so maybe these "Fake belts" are indication that it is now time to fasten our "Fake" (HOAX) seatbelts the ride is about to get faster! <!-- s:shock: -->:shock:<!-- s:shock: --> <!-- s:) -->:)<!-- s:) -->

I think there are lines to be read between, maybe I havent got it, but Im sure its not about selling belts, especially as they made to be sold and were not personal items. <!-- s:? -->:?<!-- s:? -->

<!-- s;) -->;)<!-- s;) -->

LoveNeedsExpression

Looks like Katherine is wearing her court clothe! <!-- s:D -->:D<!-- s:D -->

That guy looks a lil like slim K.O.

Maybe Weitzmen is TMZ source that allows them to get the MJ exclusives. TMZ said something like "Of course we called Howard Weitzmen..."

paula-c

And ... Khaterine'll call Joe and TMZ for the photo? <!-- s --><!-- s --> <!-- s --><!-- s -->

mjaliveomg

b. B.S imon presents
BULL SHIT lol <!-- s --><!-- s -->

mirandacnc

Looks like Katherine is wearing her court clothe! <!-- s:D -->:D<!-- s:D -->

That guy looks a lil like slim K.O.

Maybe Weitzmen is TMZ source that allows them to get the MJ exclusives. TMZ said something like "Of course we called Howard Weitzmen..."

Poor woman she needs new clothes...hahahaha <!-- s --><!-- s --> <!-- s --><!-- s -->

Unknown

Looks like Katherine is wearing her court clothe! <!-- s:D -->:D<!-- s:D -->

That guy looks a lil like slim K.O.

Maybe Weitzmen is TMZ source that allows them to get the MJ exclusives. TMZ said something like "Of course we called Howard Weitzmen..."

Poor woman she needs new clothes...hahahaha <!-- s --><!-- s --> <!-- s --><!-- s -->

stop being like that ya'll. older people like comfort clothes. they dress for comfort not necessarily style. and they could have closets full of clothes but always choose their favorite outfits....

mirandacnc

Looks like Katherine is wearing her court clothe! <!-- s:D -->:D<!-- s:D -->

That guy looks a lil like slim K.O.

Maybe Weitzmen is TMZ source that allows them to get the MJ exclusives. TMZ said something like "Of course we called Howard Weitzmen..."

Poor woman she needs new clothes...hahahaha <!-- s --><!-- s --> <!-- s --><!-- s -->

stop being like that ya'll. older people like comfort clothes. they dress for comfort not necessarily style. and they could have closets full of clothes but always choose their favorite outfits....

i wasnt being mean just thinking maybe the suit is a clue or something

Unknown

Looks like Katherine is wearing her court clothe! <!-- s:D -->:D<!-- s:D -->

That guy looks a lil like slim K.O.

Maybe Weitzmen is TMZ source that allows them to get the MJ exclusives. TMZ said something like "Of course we called Howard Weitzmen..."

Poor woman she needs new clothes...hahahaha <!-- s --><!-- s --> <!-- s --><!-- s -->

stop being like that ya'll. older people like comfort clothes. they dress for comfort not necessarily style. and they could have closets full of clothes but always choose their favorite outfits....

i wasnt being mean just thinking maybe the suit is a clue or something

okay

lovemj4everandever

Buckle up tight! The ride is getting crazier by the day! <!-- s --><!-- s --> <!-- s --><!-- s --> <!-- s --><!-- s -->

Souza

Here is the interesting thing about this article. This article explains how the estate could easily get this sit offline, since we are using trademarks and his name and pictures in our url and on the website. Still no sign from the Jacksons though, makes you go hmmmm <!-- s;) -->;)<!-- s;) -->

mmz

Here is the interesting thing about this article. This article explains how the estate could easily get this sit offline, since we are using trademarks and his name and pictures in our url and on the website. Still no sign from the Jacksons though, makes you go hmmmm <!-- s;) -->;)<!-- s;) -->

Souza,I think this is a bit different...It is not illegal if you don't get money using the trademarks...The illegal part is to use name pictures and TM for money purpose,and that is what Jackson family is doing... sorry..but in this case that is the reason why the estate is not bothering us..
Anyway,I sadly don't see any good news in this belt sell-out attempt... it doesn't fit with parents mourning maybe,but neither to the hoax. It just...doesn't fit! I posted the article in another thread talking about these belts....The jackson family purpose would be to collect money for the Gary museum...Odd,anyway... Always money ,money, money...

DancingTheDream

money, money, money, money

paula-c

Sorry, this is the link:
[youtube:27qoy897]

Unknown

Sorry, this is the link:
[youtube:2tf7a7m8]

Interesting... 2:57

Alan Duke says: "The Estate has authorized the family to sell a Michael Jackson tribute belt".

TMZ reports: "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."

It wouldn't be the first time Alan Duke is violating policy to make claims...



When you go to the website that sells the belts (<!-- m -->http://www.michaeljacksonbelts.com/<!-- m -->) it says:

:: Temporarily offline for maintenance ::
The site is currently down for maintenance.

We are working to resolve some technical issues and hope to have the website back online soon.

Please try again later or check back for further updates.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Michael Jackson Commemorative Tribute Belts
Presented by b.b.Simon.

paula-c

Mo's true .. CNN has always given me ... feeling sick, really this is more of them Bs <!-- s:geek: -->:geek:<!-- s:geek: -->

cin_pyt

YEP FASTEN YOU SEAT BELTS CUS IT'S GONNA BE ONE GOOD RIDE. I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT COULD MEAN READ BETWEEN THE LINES. HAHA

DancingTheDream

YEP FASTEN YOU SEAT BELTS CUS IT'S GONNA BE ONE GOOD RIDE. I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT COULD MEAN READ BETWEEN THE LINES. HAHA

After boarding "Mj Air", please fasten your seat belts... you are in for a bumpy ride!

tinamjj

The photo of Joe & Katherine is not original.
Joes arms look definitely too young for an 80 years old man.

Souza

Here is the interesting thing about this article. This article explains how the estate could easily get this sit offline, since we are using trademarks and his name and pictures in our url and on the website. Still no sign from the Jacksons though, makes you go hmmmm <!-- s;) -->;)<!-- s;) -->

Souza,I think this is a bit different...It is not illegal if you don't get money using the trademarks...The illegal part is to use name pictures and TM for money purpose,and that is what Jackson family is doing... sorry..but in this case that is the reason why the estate is not bothering us..
Anyway,I sadly don't see any good news in this belt sell-out attempt... it doesn't fit with parents mourning maybe,but neither to the hoax. It just...doesn't fit! I posted the article in another thread talking about these belts....The jackson family purpose would be to collect money for the Gary museum...Odd,anyway... Always money ,money, money...

I am not talking about money, just to show you how easy it would be for them. If Mike really died, I could imagine this site to be hurtful for them and they could get it offline in a split second. A letter from the estate lawyers in our mailbox would already do the trick.

hesouttamylife

I guess I'm a bad girl cuz I really want that belt with the dancing feet <!-- s --><!-- s --> <!-- s --><!-- s --> <!-- s --><!-- s --> Maybe before they are pulled off the market. Be right back <!-- s;) -->;)<!-- s;) -->

cin_pyt

@DANCING THE DREAM NICE PICTURE YES I'M READY OK LET'S WELCOME MIKE THE PILOT. MIKE JUST WOT AREN'T YOU? LOOK YOU ARE K.O.P.,"DEAD" GUY, YOU ARE FILM, DANCER, SONGWRITER,ACTOR, PRODUCER, FLORIST,BUSINESSMAN/ENTREPRENEUR, THE MAN, FUNERAL COORDINATOR, PETER PAN, I MEAN YOU ARE GOOD AT EVERYTHING I CANNOT EVEN FINISH LISTING ALL YOUR TITLES <!-- s:o -->:o<!-- s:o --> MJ AIR COMING SOON DANCING THE DREAM OH HOLD IT EXIST CM WAS ON MJ AIR WHEN HE WAS VIDEOTAPED "HELPING" THE WOMAN IN DISTRESS. <!-- s --><!-- s -->

sweet1

I was watching HLN earlier today. It looks like the belts have been halted for production. There won't be any commerative belts or any belts for that fact. Also, remember all the money that is being made goes to MJ's estate. MJ knew how his family was before he went away. It's human nature ( remember his song?). Most of MJ's family has always tried to live lavious lives but MJ was brilliant. He gave back which is why he was always super wealthy. MJ knew nothing goes in a closed hand and comes back. They never got that which is why any money they get goes in one hand and out the other. Keep the Faith!