It isn't even just about spending it is about production numbers as well. At its core XM is essential a 5 man opporation and they can't produce large enough ES to wrestle the license out of SSCs hands in any kind of affordable way. At least not yet.
They'd have to out bid them, even in trying to wrestle it away from SSC, both with pricing and percentage per piece sold. Hard to do.
what I don't get is that XM can have the Marvel comic book license and the star wars license without the "shackle" of an asian influence. Not sure why DC is giving them such a hard time.
Having said that, their interpretive pieces look like home runs. But, I would kill for a "classic" xm bats and joker.
The Marvel License SSC Has only goes to certain regions. XM's only pertains to South East Asia. I believe when SSC negotiated the last License it was for World Wide rights to the scales and Themes they sought to produce. Therefore, XM can't acquire the license, even in their own territory. That's not fact, but it's logically why it's happening the way it's happening.
I am pretty sure that SSCs DC license is more ironclad then it's Marvel one, AND XM was able to negotiate their first Marvel license under the cover of darkness with absolutely no outside interference. SSC didn't know it was happening so they didn't even try to block it. When XM went after the DC license on the other hand, well, it got out there. XM hinted at it, people saw their designs at their shop and talked about it, and to be honest this community gave SSC all the knowledge it needed to A) Know the license was being discussed, B) stand up for its licensing rights and exerts some pressure, and C) block the deal given that XM could never make the profit for WB that SSC could. In the end it was an error by some that simply assumed that SSC couldn't do anything to affect XMs business, which by now has been proven to be untrue. It wasn't DC giving XM a hard time really. DC obviously still wanted to work with XM ough because they found this compromise.
DC doesn't care who it works with, it wants the money from licensed products. If XM can sell these, by all means DC will grant them the license as long as it doesn't interfere with any other the other licenses they have with other companies, otherwise it opens them up to being in default of contract.
I think DC is exploring their options, with the bombshell line doing so good why not try an Asian themed Batman...
I still doubt SS has much influence over DC or Marvel, bottom line is SS needs DC and Marvel more then they need SS. You really think SS is going to stop making DC statues (arguably their best selling line) because DC gives XM an license? Talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face.... I still think DC wants to see what XM can do and if their impressed enough who knows what the future holds...
SSC only influence over Marvel and DC is the money they make them and the contracts they have with them. SSC obviously makes them both a good amount of money and the contracts they have are legally binding.
On the one hand, you say nothing XM does influences what SSC does and yet here you are saying that they do...so which is it? In any case, I still don't get why SSC would have any say on whether XM should get the DC comic license in asia. If they aren't "supposed" to ever be sold outside of asia, why should SSC care? It's just more money in DC's pocket to have both companies producing for them. In the end, I think XM will make DC comic based statues at some point...it's just a matter of time. This will be good for us collectors all around. I can't wait til there is a healthy competition that makes every company raise their standards and perhaps lower prices
They care because any more 1/4scale statues being produced is money out of their pocket, even in regions SSC doesn't necessarily have the rights to distribute in. People find ways to get statues, if SSC wants to be the only 1/4 DC Comic/Movie/Game in town, then they care who else could hold the licenses. SSC Only cares about the money they put in DC's pockets, and they'd rather be the only ones doing so.
The only way XM gets the comic license away from Sideshow is to out bid them for their region. Which is possible, but it will have to wait until the current license contracts expire.
XM WILL come to North America soon too. Again... I cannot resist laughing at certain buffoons.
