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Corgi and Master Replicas To Cease Producing Star Wars Products Posted By Grahame on May 15, 2007
Here is the Lucasfilm Press Release :
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (May 15, 2007) – Lucasfilm Ltd. said today that the license granted to one of its collectibles licensees, Corgi International Ltd., would expire at the end of 2007 and would not continue because the parties were unable to agree on terms for a renewal of the license. Corgi has made replicas of iconic Star Wars lightsabers, weapons, helmets, and other props under the brand name of Master Replicas. “We deeply regret that we and Corgi could not come to terms on a new agreement,” said Howard Roffman, President of Lucas Licensing. “We had very much hoped to continue working with them. We know our fans and collectors really love this category and we are working as quickly as possible to bring in new licensees to replace both Master Replicas and Cards Inc.” Late last year, through a merger and acquisition, Master Replicas and Cards Inc., a U.K. distributor and manufacturer of collectibles and also a Lucasfilm Star Wars licensee, became a part of Corgi International Ltd. Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the world’s leading film and entertainment companies. Founded by George Lucas in 1971, it is a privately held, fully integrated entertainment company. In addition to its motion-picture and television production operations, the company’s global businesses include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound; Lucasfilm Animation; LucasArts Entertainment; Lucas Licensing and Lucas Online. Lucasfilm’s feature films have won 19 Oscars and its television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards.
Here is the Corgi/MR Press Release :
Corgi International Limited Provides Notice Withdrawing Offer to Secure a New Licensing Agreement with Lucasfilm Ltd.
HONG KONG--Corgi International Limited (Nasdaq GM:CRGI) today announced that it has notified Lucasfilm Ltd. that the company has withdrawn its offer to secure a new license agreement for Star Wars products starting January 1, 2008. The company's existing license with Lucasfilm Ltd. for Star Wars products expires on December 31, 2007. Lucasfilm Ltd. had previously notified the company that it was not willing to provide a new license on the terms proposed by the company. Corgi believes that it is not in the best interest of its shareholders to accept a new license on the terms proposed by Lucasfilm Ltd.
While Corgi does not expect to secure a new license for Star Wars products from Lucasfilm Ltd. starting January 1, 2008, the company continues to expect to generate approximately 20% of total net sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008 from sales of products from the licensed properties of Lucasfilm Ltd. As such, the company is maintaining the guidance issued on February 20, 2007 regarding the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008.
CEO Michael Cookson commented, "We have enjoyed our six year relationship with Lucasfilm Ltd. and the work that we have done with Lucasfilm Ltd. to help grow and expand the Star Wars franchise. Jointly, we have developed some of the highest quality and coolest products for the core Star Wars fans. At the same time, Corgi is committed to building a healthy, profitable company. Unfortunately, the company and Lucasfilm Ltd. were unable to agree on terms for securing a new license starting in January 1, 2008. We look forward to continuing to develop growth opportunities at Corgi, thanks to our product development expertise, our strong distribution and our portfolio of license and non license business.”
About Corgi International
Corgi International develops and markets innovative, high-quality licensed and unlicensed pop culture collectibles, gifts and toys ranging from high-end movie and television prop replicas to lower price-point gifts and toys. The company holds licenses for pop culture collectibles, gifts and toys for many of the highest grossing film franchises of all time including Batman, Disney Classics, Harry Potter, James Bond, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Trek, Spiderman 3, and Star Wars. The company is headquartered in Hong Kong, with offices in Walnut Creek, CA, Chicago, IL, and the United Kingdom.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking, including statements concerning anticipated revenues and margins. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, changes in market demand for Corgi International products, changes in economic conditions, dependence on certain customers and licensing partners, and other risks described in the company's annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 and the risk factors described in the Company's Form F-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 19, 2007. The company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
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