When the WWE buys out a library...

[Xero]

Do they have the right to "bring that company back", or does the properties of the name and everything except for anything in footage stay with the original owner?

For example, could the WWE, without getting permission from someone, legally bring back the AWA Championship?

[Kane Knight]

Buying the library inherrently comes with some usage rights. But unless they specifically negotiate the rights to market the company beyond that, legally they don't have the rights. These are separate entities, sometimes not owned by the same people.

[NeanderCarl]

Depends on what they actually purchase. If they simply buy the footage, then no. (I think somebody else owns the rights to the AWA as a wrestling promotion) If the deal is for the intellectual property of the company too, specifically including all trademarks, then they can do what they want with it. That's why there was a lot of fuss in 2001 during the InVasion angle, because WWE were using the ECW name and logo despite not owning the rights, at the time. I think they MAY have owned the video library for ECW but not yet the intellectual property. Something like that anyway.

[St. Jimmy]

Somewhere Vince has the AWA title, waiting to give it to Umaga.

[Xero]

Depends on what they actually purchase. If they simply buy the footage, then no. (I think somebody else owns the rights to the AWA as a wrestling promotion) If the deal is for the intellectual property of the company too, specifically including all trademarks, then they can do what they want with it. That's why there was a lot of fuss in 2001 during the InVasion angle, because WWE were using the ECW name and logo despite not owning the rights, at the time. I think they MAY have owned the video library for ECW but not yet the intellectual property. Something like that anyway.
Yeah, I remember hearing about that. That's why they called them the "Alliance" instead of straight-out "ECW".

Thanks for the explanation.

[Kane Knight]

Depends on what they actually purchase. If they simply buy the footage, then no. (I think somebody else owns the rights to the AWA as a wrestling promotion) If the deal is for the intellectual property of the company too, specifically including all trademarks, then they can do what they want with it. That's why there was a lot of fuss in 2001 during the InVasion angle, because WWE were using the ECW name and logo despite not owning the rights, at the time. I think they MAY have owned the video library for ECW but not yet the intellectual property. Something like that anyway.

They didn't have the video library at that time. I was going to bring that same fact up until I realised it.

They were in the process of purchasing it, but had no more right to the catalog than someone bidding on an item on eBay has to the item in question.

[lort]

For the record I believe the AWA title is actually being used in Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX in Japan at the moment. Not really certain how it got over there but TNT currently holds the title.

[Kane Knight]

Also, screw you for thanking him when I gave roughly the same answer prior. :foc:

[Xero]

I meant that as an all-around thing at the time. I couldn't think of a sentence that would include you both and prevent myself from rewriting said sentence.

[Kane Knight]

It's too late, you are dead to me.

[Xero]

Please, for the love of God, don't go Katie Vick on my ass.

[Kane Knight]

What, you mean die and get humped by Triple H in a Canadian Crippla Mask?

[Xero]

... Yeah. :shifty:

[Jordan]

AWA is still all over the US, so no that wouldn't be possible.

[Stickman]

Bringing back dead promotions is so new age. They used to just rehash stables.

[Kane Knight]

AWA is still all over the US, so no that wouldn't be possible.

Actually...

The AWA trademarks that cover performance and television are owned by WWE. WWE has also filed applications for trademarks of the logo and merchandise based upon it, and given that they own not only the library BUT also performance rights, I'd say they'll get it.

In other words, it would be possible.

Anyway, given these facts, AWA is a moot example (We can argue hypothetically, but the reality is that WWE can run an AWA promotion or use it as part of their storylines). Though it appears we might be able to argue the legitimacy of the lineage....