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THQ and Jakks Pacific’s Legal Battles Drag On
Earlier today, WWE extended its renewal notice deadline for its pro wrestling license. The license is currently held by THQ (maker of the WWE Smackdown vs. Raw series) and Jakks Pacific (the company behind all WWE licensed toys). Interestingly, THQ has been slow to renew this contract. However, THQ’s VP of investor relations Julie MacMedan recently told Gamasutra.com, “We have the option to extend our video game relationship with the WWE through 2014 and we plan to do so."
The delay likely has something to do with THQ hoping to push Jakks Pacific out of the partnership, securing the WWE licenses exclusively for itself. There was some controversy in June when THQ filed suit against Jakks for making the unilateral decision to extend the WWE contract without THQ’s consent.
All three companies have a history of legal tension, and some analysts believe that WWE is also tired of dealing with Jakks Pacific. It’s possible that this delay is the wrestling association’s way of giving THQ time to pay Jakks Pacific to go away, but we might have to wait until December 31 (the new deadline) to see what really happens. However this deal shakes out, we just hope we can finally get some good wrestling action figures. Jakks figures are so crappy even our dog won’t chew on them anymore.
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