Ubisoft buys Tom Clancy's Name

[juvefc417]

Ubisoft has purchased all of the intellectual property rights to author Tom Clancy's name for videogames and related books, movies and merchandise, freeing the game maker of all future royalty payments. The Tom Clancy name has been attached to some of Ubisoft's best-selling titles, including Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon and the upcoming EndWar.

Now Ubisoft owns all of the IP rights to the Tom Clancy name, in effect circumventing royalty agreements. Ubisoft said that "the royalty savings generated by this acquisition are estimated to have an average positive impact on Ubisoft's operating income of a minimum of 5 million euros per year."

The actual price of the acquisition has not been disclosed, although following the acquisition, Ubisoft expects a net cash position of around 130 million euros by the end of the fiscal year, versus previous forecasts of 150 million euros.

The publisher said "additional payments" will be made in fiscal 2008-2009 and fiscal 2009-2010.

Ubisoft CEO Ives Guillemot said in a statement, "The future of our industry lies in our capacity to create and develop brands that captivate consumers and that present a myriad of opportunities for the full spectrum of entertainment, be it video games, books, movies or other media.

SOURCE: http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?op...=9671&Itemid=2



UPDATE: It is believed that it cost Ubisoft $60 million to buy the name

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter believes that Ubisoft paid $60 million to acquire all of the IP rights to the Tom Clancy name

SOURCE: http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?op...=9692&Itemid=2

[?johNNy bLaZe?]

cool, i thought they made more than that

[socialitykills]

does this mean they'll just slap his name on games that weren't even his idea?

[kharmon]

Ubisoft lives off tom clancy games.

[grapevine241]

i gotta say tom clancy's endwar looks pretty badass

[juvefc417]

Originally Posted by grapevine241

i gotta say tom clancy's endwar looks pretty badass

it sure does...but too bad im not into games like that. but idk maybe i'll try it out when it comes out

[Dj Narcotics]

Ubisoft owns Tom Clancy (property rights)

[juvefc417]

Originally Posted by Dj Narcotics

Ubisoft owns Tom Clancy (property rights)

i posted mine two days before yours....so yea..