Judge Approves Collector's Items

On Friday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff signed off on agreements for Michael Jackson-themed items including calendars, school supplies, posters and a commemorative coin.

He also granted authority so that reprints of his autobiography "Moonwalk" can be sold in China, Korea and several Eastern European countries. The deals were presented by the current administrators of Michael Jackson's estate, attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain. Financial details of the agreements were not disclosed.

Judge Beckloff has scheduled another hearing on Monday to decide whether to approve other deals, including a movie project that would feature the final 'This Is It' rehearsals and preparations. Columbia Pictures has agreed to pay $60 million for the rights to the footage, but the deal must be approved by Monday. The extra time was granted to give Katherine Jackson time to consider the proposed contracts and voice any opposition.

Beckloff is also considering a deal between the estate and merchandiser Bravado for worldwide distribution rights to several Michael Jackson-themed products, including trading cards, apparel, lighters, stuffed animals that play Michael's music and digital apparel and even tattoos for online games such as "Second Life."

An attorney for Branca and McClain stated in a court filing earlier this week that the deals are expected to bring Michael Jackson's estate tens of millions of dollars.

Source: MJFC / AP