If you detect the odor of sour grapes ... mixed with the aroma of bitterness ... it's probably Joe Jackson ... who just CLOSED UP his perfume kiosk at a Vegas mall ... TMZ has learned.

MJ's father has officially shut down his shop at the Fashion Show Mall in Vegas ... and his perfume partner Julian Rouas Paris tells us ... it's because mall officials treated them like crap -- giving them the worst location and charging unfair rent.

But fear not scent-heads ... JJ has pressed on with his "Jackson Perfumes" ... and just opened up a NEW mall kiosk just 7 miles down the road at the Town Square Mall.


We're told papa Jackson is psyched about the new locale ... claiming it offers more foot traffic, a bigger space AND a California Pizza Kitchen -- SCORE!!

So far, no comment from the Fashion Show Mall.

83-year-old Joe Jackson threw on his best track jacket ... and goldest chain ... and hit the club scene in Vegas this weekend ... at 2 IN THE AFTERNOON.

Michael Jackson's father was chillin' at Lavo Champagne Brunch at the Palazzo Hotel ... a full-on nightclub-style party scene ... that serves almond crusted French toast.

Sources at the club tell TMZ ... JJ arrived with a male friend ... and wasn't boozing, only drinking water.

But he WAS pimpin' it ... hangin' out at a table with a group of hot chicks. At one point, he handed his camera to someone and said, "I want a picture with the girls."

After the pic, the girls described JJ as a "sweet old man."

What happens in Vegas ... is weird sometimes.

Joe Jackson screwed up by filing a Michael Jackson wrongful death lawsuit against AEG and Dr. Conrad Murray ... a judge has just ruled.

Joe filed his wrongful death lawsuit AFTER Katherine Jackson filed hers -- on her own behalf and on behalf of the kids.

It's unclear why Joe didn't try to join in Katherine's suit rather than filing a separate one on his own.  It's possible Katherine didn't want him.

Whatever the reason, the judge said you can't have 2 suits that allege the exact same thing, and since Katherine filed first Joe loses.

Joe could now try to horn in on Katherine's legal action -- if she'll let him.

Joe Jackson must have been having an out-of-body experience Friday ... the man who played the role of marionette to one of the most successful musical groups ever spent the day hocking cheap perfume at a Las Vegas mall.

Joe was the special guest at the Julian Rouas Paris kiosk, which is hocking "Jackson Perfumes."    A famous sketch of Michael Jackson looms large amidst the perfumes. 

And the whole operation may be illegal.

As TMZ previously reported -- Bravado International -- which owns the trademark to all things Michael Jackson -- is suing Julian Rouas Paris, alleging the company never got permission to use Michael's name or image.

But that didn't stop Joe, although it appears he dozed off during the slow period.

The good news ... there's no line if you want an autograph.

Katherine and Joe Jackson just arrived at the L.A. County courthouse -- moments after the jury announced they have reached a verdict in the Conrad Murray trial.

Joe had one word for reporters on his way in -- "Justice."

La Toya Jackson just arrived -- tweeting, "I'm shaking uncontrollably!" -- along with the Hiltons, Rick and Kathy.


Randy Jackson has also arrived.


UPDATE: Everyone is in the courtroom -- the Jackson family, Conrad Murray, the defense, the prosecution ... it's just a matter of minutes now.

Katherine and Joe Jackson are currently on their way to a hotel near the L.A. County Superior courthouse ... so when the jury finally reaches a verdict, they're right near the action.

Katherine and Joe live in Calabasas -- with traffic, it could take over two hours to get to the courthouse ... and we're told, they just didn't want to chance missing a beat.

According to sources, they plan to check in and stay for as long as it takes the jury to come to a decision.

It's unclear if other members of the Jackson family also plan to crash nearby the courthouse.

Joe, Katherine, La Toya, and Randy Jackson arrived to court in full force this morning ... presenting a united front during closing arguments in the manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray.

The countdown begins.

It begins ... Dr. Conrad Murray just rolled up to the L.A. criminal courthouse with his massive entourage, looking sedate in a gray pinstripe suit.

Katherine, Joe, and Jermaine Jackson arrived moments later. All that's missing is a red carpet.


Opening statements kick off around 8:30 AM.


9:30 AM: Janet Jackson also arrived to court, alongside her brother Randy. LaToya arrived soon after, holding a flower.

TMZ has obtained a copy of the jury questionnaire in Dr. Conrad Murray's manslaughter trial, and the lawyers and judge want to know just how obsessed potential jurors are over high-profile cases like Casey Anthony.

Among the 113 questions ...

-- Over the past several years, have you followed any publicized cases?   (e.g., OJ Simpson, Robert Blake, Phil Spector, Casey Anthony, etc).

-- Have you accessed or posted any blogs concerning Michael Jackson or Conrad Murray?

-- Agree or disagree .... Celebrities and high-profile people feel they are entitled to act however they please.

-- Agree or disagree .... Celebrities and high-profile people in Los Angeles get away with crimes because of their status.

-- Has your life or the life of anyone close to you ever been affected by the behavior of someone who had a drug (prescription or other) or alcohol addiction?

-- Did you ever watch "This Is It?"

-- Have you ever considered yourself a fan of Michael Jackson or the Jackson family?

-- Have you ever undergone a medical procedure that required an anesthetic?

-- Have you ever been prescribed medication by a friend who is a physician?

-- Has your physician ever refused to prescribe a medication that you specifically requested?

And the questionnaire lists potential witnesses to see if prospective jurors know any of them.  The witnesses include Janet Jackson, Jermaine, Joe, La Toya, Katherine, Paris, Prince, Blanket, Randy, Marlon, Tito and Rebbie.

A company that owns the rights to license all things Michael Jackson is going after MJ's dad, Joe -- indirectly -- claiming he's involved in a business deal that shamelessly exploits his dead son.

TMZ broke the story ... Joe Jackson was pushing the new "Jackson" scent line at the Cannes Film Festival last month on behalf of a company called Julian Rouas Paris. But according to a new lawsuit, J.R.P. never obtained permission to use Michael's name and image in connection with the product.

Now, Bravado International is asking a federal court in Los Angeles to force Julian Rouas Paris to immediately strip anything MJ-related from their smelly product line ASAP.

Bravado is also seeking $750 for each time MJ's name and likeness were used on a product PLUS three times the amount of profits they've made on the scents PLUS more than $150k in damages.

A rep for Bravado tells TMZ, "Michael Jackson's talent made his name one of the most valuable in the history of entertainment, and no person acting on behalf of the estate gave Mr. Rouas oral or written consent to exploit it."

Somehow ... Joe Jackson convinced someone to bottle his cologne -- and we've produced a commercial for the stench -- er, scent ... that is pure justice. For Michael Jackson.



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