Licensing question

[Ramsey]

I've been meaning to ask this for awhile now...and I'm sure there is someone out there who can answer this....HOW do you go about getting licensed to make and sell replicas of a movie prop? I've heard of people who have received licenses from Paramount or other studios to make things like Ghostbusters props and thing like that...nobody wants to get sued by some multi-billion dollar studio with lawyers who make more money in a week than we'll earn in a year...at least I sure wouldn't. :lol

Not that I have any specific opportunities or anything, but having recently earned a degree in Graphic Design and being eager to find a career doing something I love to do, my wife has really been pushing me to talk to my "prop geek friends" as she puts it..:rolleyes to get some advice. I've also considered the idea of making replicas to go into museum exhibits for when they need something they can't find. That would also be a cool career to have.

 

[KnightAsylum]

I don't really know. I bet it varies depending on the company involved. I am sure it might be easier the smaller the company. That info is not helpful, I know. My reply is really that you should ask replicaprops, since he recently got a license to do Smallville props at least he could share (if he wants) how that process went with him. It would be an example of one way, and I image a good example considering the list of property owners associated with a show like Smallville.:rolleyes

 

[replicaprops]

My license with WB and DC Comics was obtained by calling WB. I asked for the product manager for Smallville and they asked me to send them samples of the items I wanted to get licensed.
They then passed the samples to the president of DC Comics who had already seen my work before.
We then negotiated the length of the contract, the type of items that would be allowed and the amount in royalties they would be paid.
The Royalties are based on a percentage of the sale price as well as a minimum gaurantee. The gaurantee gets paid quarterly regardless if you sell anything. The guarantee is negotiated up front for the life of the contract then split into equal parts based on a quarterly basis.

The amount of the guarantee and the percent of the royalty will differ depending on the demand and popularity of the licensed property.
As an example, LoonyToons will get a higher royalty than a lower rated show or film.

If you get picked up, you will need 3 million in insurance, which you really need to shop around for. It can cost as much as $15k per year depending on the liability of the products you make.

Getting picked up requires a business plan, good credit and solid manufacturing capabilities not to mention quality and a love for the art.

I can answer more questions if you have them, except for financial questions directly related to my license.
Rob