4Kids Entertainment - 4Kids Entertainment to Let Pokemon License Expire at the End of the Year

4Kids Entertainment to Let Pokemon License Expire at the End of the Year
NEW YORK (AP) -- 4Kids Entertainment Inc., which licenses entertainment names and personalities aimed at children, on Friday said it would not renew its license to the Japanese cartoon character Pokemon once it expires at the end of this year.

Pokemon USA Inc., a subsidiary of Japan's Pokemon Co., will oversee all Pokemon licensing outside of Asia starting next year, 4Kids said in a statement. The decision (by Pokemon USA Inc) to move the licensing activity in-house was a brand management decision, it added.

4Kids said it will still receive commissions over the next several years from existing Pokemon license deals that will expire after Dec. 31, but commissions from Pokemon are expected to decline over the next several years.
Pokemon, first launched in Japan in 1996 on Nintendo's Game Boy video game console, was introduced in North America in 1998. The character has generated over $25 billion in worldwide retail sales, fueled by playing cards, a television show and other merchandise. 4Kids held the Pokemon license for eight years.