mirrorbird(23:35:25)
Pink Panther was another -- because they would license the character for x years, and after that, who owns it? well Gremlin has the copyright, but the studio has the trademark, it gets so messy.
HappyDude(23:35:18)
Sierra's Hero's Quest renamed to Quest for Glory due to similar naming rights
mirrorbird(23:34:52)
very early on -- about 1995 -- i knew a guy who ran a diskzine, and he got permission from Gremlin to redistribute their old 8-bit games -- yes, so early -- but they couldn't give permission for the ones with brands, like M.A.S.K. or Basil the Great Mouse
mirrorbird(23:34:14)
sometimes the legal rights are complicated. you remember Gremlin Graphics, right? great 8-bit house, did stuff like Monty Mole.
mirrorbird(23:34:01)
depends whom they sold or licensed it to. doesn't matter who invented it