Factory Buys Rollo Rights, Establishes Licensing Arm

Following the acquisition of Rollo Rights, BAFTA-winning animation studio Factory will be developing its own IP under the new licensing and brand-management division Factory Rights.

The acquisition gives Factory access to a number of properties, including Rupert Fawcett’s Off The Leash, David McKee’s Mr Benn, King Rollo, Victor & Maria, Towser, Watt the Devil, Art, Ric and Dr Xargle. Factory purchased the catalog in order to develop a rights ownership arm that supports its studio production business. The first content to be developed is Off The Leash TV, a 2D line animated version of Off The Leash.

Clive Juster, who owned Rollo Rights alongside David McKee, will remain on the board at Factory Rights to advise and assist with the new division.

Phil Chalk, the managing director of Factory and Factory Rights, said: “We’ve been developing and adapting IP since we launched in 2010, beginning with Strange Hill High and Newzoids, both of which were developed in-house.

“Launching Factory Rights is the next step in our ambition, and we’re delighted to have acquired such an incredible range of titles to launch our new division. Off The Leash TV has been generating huge interest already so we’re excited to launch the YouTube channel and unleash it to the world.”

Juster added: “Having been so close to Mr Benn, King Rollo and many other classic characters for over 30 years, I’m thrilled to have found such a perfect home for them at Factory. I know that these much-loved properties will be in safe hands under their watch, and I cannot wait to see where Factory takes them on their next adventures.”