March 08, 2005

Who Owns Little Cheburashka?

The fascinating story of a cute little cartoon character from Russia who has become very popular in Japan, only to meet with some legal objections from the creator about who has the right to distribute and merchandise. A sort of Mickey Mouse of Russia, undergoing Disney-like IP struggles.

Posted by steev at March 8, 2005 02:24 AM
Comments

article from nov.2004 says that the american company, films by jove, won the fight and have the current rights to territories outside russia. however, the company itself doesn't seem to have a website or a working email address.

http://news.awn.com/index.php?ltype=top&newsitem_no=12429

http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=slv1-&p=films+by+jove

Posted by: kevin at March 9, 2005 11:42 PM

East Germany and West Germany competeing, similar programs, both called Sandmännchen, during the cold war.
It's featured prominately in the hilarious film Goodbye Lenin.

http://chardman.blogspot.com/2004/10/melden-sie-sandmnnchen.html

Posted by: Rich at March 10, 2005 04:36 PM