Mattel no longer owns the rights to MOTU?

[Skystalker]

That's because they made figures based on both the vintage look (owned by Mattel) and Filmation variants (owned by Dreamworks).

Mattel has always owned MOTU, the toy brand. They maintained the rights to produce toys based on the property and sold other licensing rights to Classic Media, which was bought by Dreamworks. If you wanted to make a MOTU t-shirt or a tumbler glass, you spoke to Classic Media. That is why the majority of licensed products utilize the Filmation style guide, because the Filmation catalog is part of Classic Media's portfolio. That is why Mattel had to get the licensing rights to create Filmation characters. I would assume Mattel has additional approval rights as part of their contract with Dreamworks, since Mattel originated the brand. Which is why you'll see both companies represented on products/production credits. Classic Media/Dreamworks also works very closely with Dark Horse in terms of publishing, which is why they are producing the recent books we've been getting, such as the mini-comic collection and the Filmation episode guide.

MOTU is still Mattel's brand, but the various rights to produce items beyond toys falls with Dreamworks.

See, now this makes more sense then the other stuff suggesting that Mattel doesn't own MOTU anymore. This is what I had assumed.

[Swanmarsh]

Here's something (additional) I don't understand - if Mattel doesn't own MOTU characters any more and loses rights to the figures in 2023, what possible incentive would Mattel have to create completely new characters for MOTU in the mini-comics, such as Hans Hammerholder and Muck-man and Ssstretch-Nek and the others? Why not save these ideas for some future toyline?

[granamyr80]

Here's something (additional) I don't understand - if Mattel doesn't own MOTU characters any more and loses rights to the figures in 2023, what possible incentive would Mattel have to create completely new characters for MOTU in the mini-comics, such as Hans Hammerholder and Muck-man and Ssstretch-Nek and the others? Why not save these ideas for some future toyline?

I believe that Dreamworks owns the rights only for the Filmation cartoon. Everything that came up afterwards like the movie, New Adventures, the MYP cartoon, the modern comics etc, are different licences, that don't belong to Dreamworks. From what i understand the brand is still Mattel. It's Mattel that gives the licences for the various MOTU products. The movie rights for example currently belong to Sony. But this doesn't mean that Sony owns the brand. Unless Mattel itself decides to sell it to someone else.

[JVS3]

The rights for MOTU and POP have been complicated for a long time. But my advice is not to sweat it. As long as we continue to get new toys, licensed product, and other entertainment, does it really matter who owns what?

[granamyr80]

The rights for MOTU and POP have been complicated for a long time. But my advice is not to sweat it. As long as we continue to get new toys, licensed product, and other entertainment, does it really matter who owns what?

Well said.

[Kesmai]

The rights for MOTU and POP have been complicated for a long time. But my advice is not to sweat it. As long as we continue to get new toys, licensed product, and other entertainment, does it really matter who owns what?

Big picture, no it doesn't. My own personal curiosity, yes it does No one yet has confirmed the 2023 Mattel rights expiration statement by ToyGuru to be false yet...

[Oceanwalker]

The rights for MOTU and POP have been complicated for a long time. But my advice is not to sweat it. As long as we continue to get new toys, licensed product, and other entertainment, does it really matter who owns what?

Because curiousity never hurt anyone it does matter.

[JVS3]

Because curiousity never hurt anyone it does matter.

I heard it has led to a lot of drama elsewhere online. So it sounds like curiosity can have a negative side effect.

[Kesmai]

I heard it has led to a lot of drama elsewhere online. So it sounds like curiosity can have a negative side effect.

And here we go with news sites attempting to make this go viral: http://www.battlegrip.com/masters-of...p-in-question/

Honestly I'm over it if no one here is going to confirm or deny it. See what happens in 6 years. As long MOTU continues on that's all that matters whoever owns the rights. And DreamWorks has proven to play ball if they end up the sole owner of MOTU rights.

[JVS3]

When it comes to big IPs, ownership is not always a fixed issue. Rights can change hands, companies can extend deals, contracts can be renegotiated, and so forth. That's why I suggested earlier not to sweat it. Whatever info might be found out now could be completely different a year, a month, or even a week from now.


Money is always going to be at the heart of it. Sadly, the property hasn't been a major profitable IP since the 80s. That's 30 years of what big companies would consider under-performance for the brand.

BUT, if MOTU ever becomes a money maker again, or if Mattel feels that one day they can turn it into one, then they are always going to stay connected to the brand either as owner, co-owner, licensee, etc. On the other hand, if Mattel comes to the conclusion that MOTU won't be able to relive some of it's 80s glory days, it's quite possible they might let it go.

[Sandman]

In six years all those companies will be owned by Disney anyway, so it won't matter. Everything will be Mouse branded, even the org and Val's underpants!

[KingRandor82]

The rights for MOTU and POP have been complicated for a long time. But my advice is not to sweat it. As long as we continue to get new toys, licensed product, and other entertainment, does it really matter who owns what?

I won't lie: for me, yes, as up to now I held Mattel in much higher regard than this. Yes, that's my problem, but it still hurts to see that disappointment.

And that's another key: as long as we continue to get new toys, licensed product, and other entertainment. Yah, took long enough....why only now, and why only starting in 2008? Wouldn't whoever owned the property want to push it to the extreme the way say.......Lucas did with Star Wars, or Hasbro does with Transformers?

[JVS3]

In six years all those companies will be owned by Disney anyway, so it won't matter. Everything will be Mouse branded, even the org and Val's underpants!

BANNED!


..maybe Demolition Man should have gone with Disney instead of Taco Bell.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

In six years all those companies will be owned by Disney anyway, so it won't matter. Everything will be Mouse branded, even the org and Val's underpants!

I think Disney already owns all of us. I think I owe them a royalty check just for continuing to exist.

[KingRandor82]

BANNED!


..maybe Demolition Man should have gone with Disney instead of Taco Bell.

Not necessarily....perhaps Disney also owns Taco Bell

[JVS3]

I think Disney already owns all of us. I think I owe them a royalty check just for continuing to exist.

Uh oh. Is that was that letter was from Disney? I just threw it out.

Not necessarily....perhaps Disney also owns Taco Bell

The conspiracies are real!!

[Toyguru]

No matter who "owns" MOTU, all that matters is more cool toys! Val said it very well. Let's stay positive always and support the line with oodles of praise for those
Fighting the good fight! :-)

[13977]

Uh oh. Is that was that letter was from Disney? I just threw it out.

First letters from WWE, now letters from Disney as well

[He-Dad]

No matter who "owns" MOTU, all that matters is more cool toys! Val said it very well. Let's stay positive always and support the line with oodles of praise for those
Fighting the good fight! :-)

As long as Super7 keeps the QC up and makes good on all their promises that shouldn't be a problem.

- - - Updated - - -

In six years all those companies will be owned by Disney anyway, so it won't matter. Everything will be Mouse branded, even the org and Val's underpants!

Lol I kinda wish Disney would buy MOTU...look what they've done for Star Wars! I think a Disney MOTU movie would rock!

[gbagok]

Lol I kinda wish Disney would buy MOTU...look what they've done for Star Wars! I think a Disney MOTU movie would rock!

Wait, wait, hold on now, Star Wars (like Marvel and the movies of Pixar) was a success before Disney bought it. They're capitalizing on its success, but I think that pump was well primed for them despite the consensus that the prequels were disappointing. I wouldn't count on them breathing new life into MOTU if they owned it, nor do they probably need to try right now with all the franchises they're currently juggling. I look at how they sit on franchises like their own Gargoyles, or how they fumble what could have been good franchises like Lone Ranger, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, John Carter (of Mars), Prince of Persia, Tron: Legacy, or Tomorrowland (mostly things I liked to varying degrees), and don't see Disney as the best option for MOTU. And I'm even a big Disney fan!

[Megalodon]

The rights for MOTU and POP have been complicated for a long time. But my advice is not to sweat it. As long as we continue to get new toys, licensed product, and other entertainment, does it really matter who owns what?

OK Val maybe you can answer this (Since your so close to it...) and since I asked about 50 times....

What happened to the rights and when did they sell them??? I find it odd that they would sell something that was a juggernaut for them and still made money for them...if you could shed some light...I'm just curious....

[Kesmai]

OK Val maybe you can answer this (Since your so close to it...) and since I asked about 50 times....

What happened to the rights and when did they sell them??? I find it odd that they would sell something that was a juggernaut for them and still made money for them...if you could shed some light...I'm just curious....

IF they did, probably around the time Mattel bought and sold the Learning Company 1999-2000 and lost an estimated $3.6 billion on that bumble of a deal.

[Toyguru]

Does the "why" really matter? I get wanting to know, but we're treading on non disclosure info at this point that I doubt will ever be made public.

Best to just cheer for new toys and support the companies making them and moveon.org. It will save headaches trust me. One of those things where better not knowing. Like finding out your parents are secretly killer clowns from mars.

[Riddle of Steel]

Does the "why" really matter? I get wanting to know, but we're treading on non disclosure info at this point that I doubt will ever be made public.

Best to just cheer for new toys and support the companies making them and moveon.org. It will save headaches trust me. One of those things where better not knowing. Like finding out your parents are secretly killer clowns from mars.

I just prefer to keep it simple....Like thinking that they at one point had sex. **I came from a test tube.....I came from a test tube** Yea, that's the spirit!

[Megalodon]

Does the "why" really matter? I get wanting to know, but we're treading on non disclosure info at this point that I doubt will ever be made public.

Best to just cheer for new toys and support the companies making them and moveon.org. It will save headaches trust me. One of those things where better not knowing. Like finding out your parents are secretly killer clowns from mars.

OK but why would you sell one of your hottest properties billions in sales??? You sell it?