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ARTICLE · 17 MARCH 2016

How Did Darth Vader Become A Toy?

Inanici - Tekcan Ortakligi
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Commercialization of products which are based on major personality features (names, portraits, characteristic features) of real or fictional characters and/or materials appearing in a Film may be defined as character merchandising.

TurkeyIntellectual Property
Nihan Malkocer
Nihan Malkocer
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MERCHANDISING RIGHTS

Commercialization of products which are based on major personality features (names, portraits, characteristic features) of real or fictional characters and/or materials appearing in a Film may be defined as character merchandising. Products which are promoted on the market via this method vary form games, toys, action figures to textile products and posters. As one of the best examples of character merchandising, today one can see Star Wars, Spiderman or Mickey Mouse related products at any shop he/she enters.

Character merchandising is a term originating from Walt Disney Studios' attempt in 1930 to set up a new department for licensing its fictional characters to be sold as tangible goods to consumers. This method which has developed rapidly in 20th century still continues to expand its coverage with new films.

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