Jacksons Sue Merchandisers

The suit was filed in Tokyo District Court in September, and while it does not seek any monetary damages it does demand that the sellers of products featuring Jackson’s image cease and desist with their sales.

The defendants in the suits are Ryosuke Matsuura, Michael Jackson Asian Rights, Michael Jackson Enterprises and Michael Jackson World.

All of the merchandise is sold online, and the companies assert on their websites that they own the rights to the products being displayed, which include $21 towels, $5 postcards, $100 lighters, as well as mugs and other paraphernalia.

In the suit, the estate says it wants to protect the rights of its legitimate partners and “preserve the legacy of Michael Jackson, who loved his millions of Japanese fans, all of whom deserve the opportunity to purchase legitimate and authentic Michael Jackson goods.”

The Associated Press contacted several of the defendants.

One, Yutaka Fujino, said he would “study” the suit before commenting.

Lawyers for others said they would contest the suit but did not elaborate. The estate estimates the value of the unauthorized products at $1.23 million.

Behind the lawsuit is Triumph, an American company wholly owned by the estate and set up to handle merchandising.

Previously, Triumph sued another Japanese company for the same reason and won.