The state of deceased pop legend Michael Jackson reached a settlement Tuesday with a nonprofit organization that had claimed it was the successor to Jackson's Heal the World charity.  The settlement was reached just in time to avoid a trial in the dispute over the Heal the World trademark.  Jackson's estate battled the organization for a year and a half, claiming the group was misusing trademarked property to create the appearance of an affiliation with Jackson's now-defunct organization.

Under the terms of the settlement, Jackson's estate retains the rights to Heal the World as well as any trademarks held by the other group, according to a statement from attorneys for the estate.  All other details of the settlement were kept confidential.

Jackson originally founded the Heal the World Foundation 1992 but later was forced to abandon it when he was fighting child abuse allegations.