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Bad Licensing News from Mattel

Discussion in 'Collectables, Literature, & Models' started by Mule, Jan 12, 2008.

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  1. Mule

    Mule F1 Rookie
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    #1 Mule, Jan 12, 2008
    I have used a very good diecast shop for a few years, and he sent me this email today. He has dealt with all of the big companies for many years, has a real shop, and is a big seller at the Historics and Concorso Italiano.

    "Also, We just got word that Mattel has decided to take away the rights to Ferrari Licensing from every company including IXO, Kyosho & BBR. This becomes effective on April 1st. After this date you will only be able to get newly released Ferrari models from Mattel. No one seems to be very happy about it."

    If true, I wonder if all of the announced BBR, Kyosho and IXO will not happen. We shall see if something official comes out.
     
  2. 1_can_dream

    1_can_dream F1 Veteran

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    #2 1_can_dream, Jan 12, 2008
    That sounds pretty horrible. Personally it doesn't bother me too much since I prefer unassembled Ferrari models, but it sucks for those that I know collect many BBR's and other brands other than Mattell.
     
  3. alfred tiegler

    alfred tiegler Karting

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    #3 alfred tiegler, Jan 12, 2008
    Had an issue with Kyosho. No more sub-licensing. The rest- Mattel does not have the authority to do.
     
  4. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 285ferrari, Jan 12, 2008
  5. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

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    #5 GTE, Jan 12, 2008
    Can anyone explain how Mattel can take away BBR's license? They are not even in the same market and BBR has got, as far as I know, it's very own licenseagreement with Ferrari Spa.
     
  6. Mule

    Mule F1 Rookie
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    #6 Mule, Jan 12, 2008
  7. alfred tiegler

    alfred tiegler Karting

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    #7 alfred tiegler, Jan 12, 2008
    BBR, CMC and Exoto do not sublicense from Mattel, so they cannot take away their Ferrari permissions. Their will be plenty of Ferrari models to come in 1/18th scale and 1/43 scale. Just not from Kyosho for the time being.
     
  8. JimmyD

    JimmyD Rookie

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    #8 JimmyD, Jan 12, 2008
    Speaking of CMC, they have committed themselves to releasing 1 Ferrari model a year. I can't wait to find out what they are releasing this year.
     
  9. ringo

    ringo Rookie

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    #9 ringo, Jan 13, 2008
    There appears to be some confusion here.Mattel owns IXO and Hotwheels do they not?????
     
  10. hycian

    hycian Karting

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    #10 hycian, Jan 13, 2008
    Never. Mattel = Hotwheels = crap

    IXO is a different company that doesn't release junk.
     
  11. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

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    #11 GTE, Jan 13, 2008
    apparently this news doesn't concern BBR after all. Big relief!
     
  12. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

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    #12 SSNISTR, Jan 13, 2008
    So let me get this straight. After April of this year Kyosho can't make/sell any Ferrari models at all? Or can it just not make/sell any new ones?


    Does this mean the 1:18 "Light Weight" F40's are not going to be coming out soon like they were supposeted to????
     
  13. Mule

    Mule F1 Rookie
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    #13 Mule, Jan 13, 2008
    I do not think that the execution of the licensing change is confirmed yet. There are a few interpretations and opinions floating around the internet. I am sure that Mattel, Kyosho, IXO, and anyone else affected will put something on thier websites closer to April, once the lawyers figure it out. It could range from only Mattel Ferraris period to no visible change on our end.

    Though I only collect 1:43 these days, it would be sad to see Kyosho, CMC, BBR or Exoto excluded from making 1:18 cars that are in demand. Hopefully, they are not affected too severely or not at all. When Mattel first got the Ferrai deal (1999), thier press release seemed pretty specific, "Mattel, Inc. (NYSE: MAT) and Ferrari today announced that Mattel has been granted exclusive worldwide rights to produce toys, apparel and accessories, and adult collectible products based upon the rich heritage of Ferrari vehicles and the extraordinary Ferrari race team." But Mattel themselves have not had any recent press releases on the subject.
     
  14. johng

    johng Formula 3

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    #14 johng, Jan 14, 2008
    it's too bad ferrari chose a crappy model car company like mattel to sell its rights to.
     
  15. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 285ferrari, Jan 14, 2008
    Ferrari would of sold the rights to anyone coming up the kind of money Mattel did....I don't think Ferrari cares how bad the models are, they made there money. If we all stopped buying HW models tomorrow it wouldn't affect Ferrari---they got paid already....
     
  16. lucky_13_2002

    lucky_13_2002 F1 Rookie

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    #16 lucky_13_2002, Jan 14, 2008
    When does Mattel's license expire? Anybody knows? I thought it was at the end of 2008.
     
  17. johng

    johng Formula 3

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    #17 johng, Jan 14, 2008
    that's what i was thinking. it was all about "show me the money."
     
  18. rodolfo

    rodolfo Formula Junior

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    #18 rodolfo, Jan 14, 2008
    I have read in back in april 2005 that they renewed for 5 more years.

    Maybe Kyosho / IXO will still make the cars but they won´t show their logos only Mattel / Hot Wheels...well I hope that they still keep producing as I had plans for getting my firt Kyosho this 2008.
     
  19. Mule

    Mule F1 Rookie
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    #19 Mule, Jan 14, 2008
    That would be nice. I have all of the IXO and Kyosho 1:43, and they are great for the price. Hot Wheels did make some 1:43 street Ferraris a few years ago that were pretty good. Nor BBR or Redline, but good for $15 (and on Ebay for $5 or less)
     
  20. lucky_13_2002

    lucky_13_2002 F1 Rookie

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    #20 lucky_13_2002, Jan 14, 2008
    Those cars were made by a different company and HW just put their name on it. I can't think of the name right now.
     
  21. Mule

    Mule F1 Rookie
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    #21 Mule, Jan 14, 2008
    I looked at mine, and they all say manufactured FOR Hot Wheels, but no mention by who or any other markings. If IXO or Kyosho kept making the 1:43s, took them across the street to Mattel, and they had no markings other than Hot Wheels, I could live with that.

    Maybe someone from the Vitesse group made those original 1:43s for Hot Wheels. Can't think of many 1:43 Ferrari street cars (other than Minichamps) from the late 90's. Vitesse made about five 1:43 La Storia cars after their original run of 14 (54 cars announced) for Hot Wheels, before IXO brought it back. They were Hot Wheels La Storia, so there was some cooperation.

    And speaking of that, what happens to the remaining La Storia cars (about 50) yet to be produced? La Storia keeps falling short of thier plans (usually due to Mattel).
     
  22. lucky_13_2002

    lucky_13_2002 F1 Rookie

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    #22 lucky_13_2002, Jan 15, 2008
    No, it wasn't vitesse. There was this other company than made the F40 and the F50 and the 355. Mattel got the rights and just put their name on the models and changed the package.
     
  23. Mule

    Mule F1 Rookie
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    #23 Mule, Jan 15, 2008
    Art Model, Detail Cars, Solido, Progetto K, Brumm, Bang, Best? Now you have me thinking.
     
  24. lucky_13_2002

    lucky_13_2002 F1 Rookie

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    #24 lucky_13_2002, Jan 15, 2008
    Detail Cars-there you go. And they did not hold a candle to IXO, no matter if they were marketed under HW or DC.
     
  25. canam350

    canam350 Formula Junior

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    #25 canam350, Jan 15, 2008
    hello
    to everyone
    i just had a mail from a dealer in germany,and shop owner
    and he has not heard about this lincense being taken from kyosho or any manufactuer
    of ferrari models,although he will be making enquires today with mattel german importers
    to find out what the full story is.
    will keep you up to date if i get anymore info
     
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