Even after death, Knut the polar bear profitable for Berlin Zoo

Everyone's favorite polar bear, Knut, who died earlier this year, turned out to be a big profit maker for the Berlin Zoo.

Knut, the precious polar bear that became a worldwide sensation generated more than $140 million in business globally according to BusinessWeek.

Everything from books, stuffed animals and raspberry flavored Knut gummi bears were sold. He also made the 167-yaer-old Berlin Zoo profitable. This happened for the three years Knut was at the zoo.

Knut's brand can still be profitable. The Berlin Zoo owns the rights to his trademark, but as reported by People.com the zoo is being very selective about licensing. They want to maintain Knut's message about protecting the environment.

A dead Knut brand could still make million, Birtgit Clark, a trademark attorney told People.com

On March 19, Knut collapsed then floated dead in the water of his pen, in front of a number of visitors.

He was by himself in his compound, he was in the water, and then he was dead, Berlin Zoo bear keeper Heiner Kis told the Associated Press at the time.

Knut was four years old. Polar bears in captivity have been known to live more than 30 years.