Pop star's dad smells profit

You've got the albums, now buy the perfume

MICHAEL Jackson's father Joe said this week he will begin selling the much-delayed fragrance that honours his pop star son later this month - without using the name Michael.

Joe Jackson, who was left out of the Thriller singer's will on his death in 2009, first promoted the "Jackson's Tribute" and "Jackson's Legend" fragrance line at the Cannes film festival in May.

But the launch was scrapped when the company that owns the commercial rights to sell products under Michael Jackson's name filed a lawsuit seeking to ban sales and asking for damages.

Joe Jackson and his partner, Julian Rouas Paris, said they will launch the line in Las Vegas on January 21. Called The JRP/Jackson Perfume Collection, it will be sold from a booth in the gambling city's Fashion Show Mall.

"We don't use Michael's name. We don't use his image," said Rouas. He said the family "want to stay private" by selling the line through small outlets in US shopping malls rather than through established stores.

The description of the fragrances given at the Cannes film festival said they were "inspired by Michael's story". Prices for the scents start at $59.

Jackson, 50, died on June 25 2009 in Los Angeles from an overdose of sedatives and the powerful anaesthetic propofol. His personal physician Dr Conrad Murray is serving a four-year jail sentence for involuntary manslaughter in the singer's death.