The Bookseller.com

5th July 2009

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Chorion buys Copyrights Group

08.11.07 Katherine Rushton

The intellectual property group Chorion has added Beatrix Potter and Paddington Bear to its portfolio, through the acquisition of licensing agency The Copyrights Group for an undisclosed sum.

Copyrights is a independent licensing business which represents brands owned by other companies. In addition to Beatrix Potter and Paddington Bear, its portfolio includes Raymond Briggs' The Snowman, Spot, the Horrible Histories, Flower Fairies and lifestyle brands such as Marie Claire, Rough Guides and The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. Chorion owns and manages the literary estates of Enid Blyton—including the Noddy and Famous Five brands—Agatha Christie, Georges Simenon and Charles Roger Hargreaves' Mr Men and Little Miss brands.

The acquisition positions Chorion to "represent one of the most comprehensive portfolios of classic licensing and merchandising brands in the world," the company said in a statement. "The combined business will be a leader in licensing and merchandising great British brands around the world and will benefit from Chorion's expertise in international brand development and exploitation."

The company will focus on building the Copyrights' brands in key international territories, including the world's two biggest character markets, North America and Japan.

"We are thrilled to be adding the licensing and merchandising of such globally-recognised British institutions as Paddington Bear and Beatrix Potter to our portfolio," said Chorion m.d. Jane Turner. "Children around the world continue to delight in these fantastic characters. Global manufacturers, broadcasters and publishers also instantly recognise their value".

Copyrights Group co-founder and chief executive Nicholas Durbridge added: "Chorion has both the integrity and experience needed to provide these iconic brands with continued success and development around the world."

Sally Floyer, m.d. of Frederick Warne, the Penguin subsidiary which owns and publishes Peter Rabbit, said the company was looking forward to "exploring the opportunities for growth which will come with their being part of a bigger entity with Chorion's resources, reach and expertise."

Rights Katherine Rushton children's Chorion The Copyrights Group