Middle-earth Enterprises Licensing

LICENSING

Middle-earth Enterprises owns exclusive worldwide rights to motion picture, merchandising, stage and other rights in certain literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien including The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. We have produced and licensed films, stage productions, events, services and merchandise based on these works for half a century. Inspired by a deep appreciation for the fictional world created by J.R.R. Tolkien, Middle-earth Enterprises is dedicated to working with businesses providing quality products in accordance with best green business and sustainability practices, including fair trade, equality in the workplace, and a commitment to protect our earth, its wondrous beauty and the viability of every living creature. If you are interested in a licensing opportunity, please carefully read the Licensing Guidelines.

If you are interested in a licensing opportunity, please carefully read the guidelines listed under Licensing Guidelines. If you believe your business or concept fits our guidelines, you may submit an inquiry to the appropriate rights holder(s) listed under Licensing Contacts.

If you are interested in licensed products based upon The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit,
you'll find a selection listed under Current Licensees.

Licensing Guidelines

If you are interested in a licensing opportunity please carefully read the procedures and send an inquiry to the appropriate rights-holder listed under Licensing Contacts.

If you are interested in licensed products based upon The Lord of the Rings and/or The Hobbit,
you'll find a selection listed under Current Licensees.

If you are interested in becoming a Licensee of Middle-earth Enterprises please read the following information carefully.

Your company must have a minimum of three years in manufacturing and distribution of the product line for which you are seeking a license. For example, the answer to a Frequently Asked Question: perhaps you are interested in selling t-shirts branded The Lord of the Rings, MEE will consider a licensing proposal from your company provided your company has at least three years' experience designing, manufacturing and selling t-shirts. It does not mean that your business may sell t-shirts branded The Lord of the Rings for three years and then apply for a license.

If your company meets the three years' of experience qualification you may provide us the following information in an email

Company Name
Company Address
Company phone and direct email and web address
Executive Contact with direct email address
Past Company experience in consumer products
Include a copy of your product catalog or sell sheets
Proposed Product
Proposed Territory
Suggested Royalty Rate

Please DO NOT SEND PROPRIETARY CREATIVE IDEAS.

Please be aware that meeting the above qualifications and submitting an application to
become a licensee in no way guarantees that you will be granted a license.

Due to the volume of submissions we receive please allow up to eight weeks for a reply.

Licensing Contacts

Merchandising Based Upon the Books

For general inquiries related to merchandising, stage rights,
and/or services based on the literary works for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings:

Middle-earth Enterprises

Director of Licensing
me@middleearth.com

Film Clips and Film Stills

To license a clip or film still contact:
https://www.warnerbros.com/studio/services/clip-and-still-licensing

Merchandise Based on the Films

For merchandising rights or services based on the artwork from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies:

Warner Bros
Consumer Products
4001 West Olive Avenue
Burbank, California 91505
WBCPInquiries@warnerbros.com

Film Screenings

For screenings or licensing film rights to The Lord of the Rings animated film directed by Ralph Bakshi,
please contact Middle-earth Enterprises:
me@middleearth.com

Other Book Rights

For the right to reproduce or utilize printed, published matter based upon
The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and other literary works by J.R.R. Tolkien:

Harper Collins Publishers
Permissions Department
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF
England
www.harpercollins.co.uk/corporate/business-centre/permissions/

FAQ

Quite often, we are contacted by fans who wonder

What is Copyright?

What is a Trademark?

I want to open a business using names from The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings. Do I need permission?

I want to make and sell merchandise using names, likenesses, quotes, or descriptions from The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings books and films. Do I need to obtain permission or enter into a license?

Am I allowed to sell the product for three years before I apply for the license?, the answer is definitely not.

I want to publish a book using characters, places, and things from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Can I do that without permission?

I want to make a film utilizing characters, places, and things from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Do I need permission?

What if I want to make a fan film, for showing at festivals and fan events free of charge?

I want to write and stage a play based on The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit. Do I need permission or a license?

I want to stage a play that has already been adapted from The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit. Do I need permission?

I want to sell my handmade jewelry on Etsy. I want to make The One Ring and Galadriel's ring -- can I do that without a license? Etsy has a million listings for goods based on The Lord of the Rings, so I think it must be ok.

I want to name my dog Frodo is that ok?

My dog Frodo loves to eat. I'd like to start a dog food line named Frodo Baggins Bag of Dog Food Delights. May I do that? I'd be naming the business for my dog, not for the other more famous Frodo Baggins, therefore do I really need permission to make a business using my dog's name?

The Licensing Guidelines tell me to be in business for three years before submitting an application, does that mean I should use the Tolkien trademarks and inspiration of the Tolkien works in my business offerings for three years before applying for a license?

If I haven't had a reply from Middle-earth Enterprises, can I consider my request approved?

Still have questions? Reach out to us at me@middleearth.com.