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[[File:Tim Bolton - Licensees.jpg||thumb|300px|''Licensees'' infographic by Tim Bolton (2023)]]
This is the timeline of the history of the adaptations, in copyright level, generally, of works of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], and specifically, of two of his books, ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'':


==History==
==History==
* '''1969''' - [[United Artists]] acquires the film, television, stage, and merchandising rights to [[The Hobbit]] and [[The Lord of the Rings]] from author [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], who retains book publishing rights.<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''[[1936]]''' - [[Stanley Unwin]] mails [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] a signed duplicate contract for ''The Hobbit'' to be published.<ref>{{CG|C}}</ref>
* '''1976''' - The [[Saul Zaentz]] Production Company acquires film and other rights for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings from United Artists.<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''[[1958]]''' - [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Rayner Unwin]] agree to grant American businessmen, Forrest J. Ackerman and Morton Grady Zimmerman an option on the film rights to ''The Lord of the Rings'' for six months to allow an agreeable script to be developed. A script was not agreed upon and the option expired in early 1959.<ref>Todd Jensen, "The Zimmerman Film Treatment of The Lord of the Rings", ''[[Beyond Bree]]'', December 1995</ref>
* '''1977''' - The Saul Zaentz Company forms a d/b/a [[Tolkien Enterprises]].<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''[[1962]]''' - J.R.R. Tolkien and Allen & Unwin enter a contract with [[William Lawrence Snyder]] of [[Rembrandt Films]] to make a film adaptation of ''The Hobbit''.<ref>[[Rayner Unwin]], ''[[George Allen & Unwin: A Remembrancer]]'' ([[1999]]), p. 109</ref>
* '''1978''' - Saul Zaentz produces the animated film [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|The Lord of the Rings]], directed by [[Ralph Bakshi]].
* '''[[1966]]''' - In a last minute attempt to avoid Snyder's licensing rights to expire, ''[[The Hobbit (1966 film)|The Hobbit]]'' short film is released.
* '''1997''' - The Saul Zaentz Company options their film rights to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to Miramax Films.
* '''[[1969]]''' - [[United Artists]] acquires the film, television, stage, and merchandising rights to ''The Hobbit'' and ''The Lord of the Rings'' from author J.R.R. Tolkien, who retains book publishing rights, as well as television rghts.<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|articleurl=https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2017/11/15/104416-tolkien-rights-and-the-amazon-television-deal-some-insight/ |articlename=Tolkien Rights and the Amazon Television Deal – some insight|website=[[TheOneRing.net]]|dated=15 November 2017|accessed=24 October 2022}}</ref>
* '''1998''' - [[New Line Cinema]] purchases the film options for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit from Miramax.<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''[[1976]]''' - The [[Saul Zaentz]] Production Company acquires film and other rights for ''The Hobbit'' and ''The Lord of the Rings'' from United Artists.<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''2001''' - New Line Cinema releases [[The Fellowship of the Ring (2001 film)|The Fellowship of the Ring]], co-produced and directed by [[Peter Jackson]].
* '''[[1977]]''' - The Saul Zaentz Company forms a d/b/a [[Tolkien Enterprises]].<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''2002''' - New Line Cinema releases [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers|The Two Towers]].
* '''1977''' - The first animated film by [[Rankin/Bass]], ''[[The Hobbit (1977 film)|The Hobbit]]'' is released.
* '''2003''' - New Line Cinema releases [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|The Return of the King]].
* '''[[1978]]''' - Saul Zaentz produces the animated film ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|The Lord of the Rings]]'', directed by [[Ralph Bakshi]].
* '''2004''' - [[Electronic Arts]] releases [[The Battle for Middle-earth]], a real time strategy game under a joint license with New Line Cinema and Tolkien Enterprises.
* '''[[1980]]''' - The second and the last animated film by [[Rankin/Bass]], ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|The Return of the King]]'' is released.
* '''2005''' - Tolkien Enterprises enters a renewed era of licensing with the worldwide popularity of the Peter Jackson films. New Line and its parent company, Warner Brothers, release a flood of merchandise based upon film assets, under license from Tolkien Enterprises, which enters into new license agreements for merchandise based exclusively upon the Tolkien literary property, including for board games, videogames, jewelry, figurines and other collectibles.<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''[[1981]]''' - [[MGM|Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]], or MGM, acquires United Artists and through this way it obtains distribution rights to film adaptations of ''The Hobbit''.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/16/world/m-g-m-is-reported-purchasing-united-artists-for-350-million.html|articlename=M-G-M IS REPORTED PURCHASING UNITED ARTISTS FOR $350 MILLION|dated=|website=[https://www.nytimes.com/ The New York Times]|accessed=03 October 2022}}</ref>
* '''2006''' - Electronic Arts releases [[The Battle for Middle-earth II]] video game.
* '''[[1982]]''' - [[Melbourne House]] publishes the first video game based on works by Tolkien, ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)|The Hobbit]]''.
* '''2006''' - [[The Lord of the Rings Musical]] stage play premieres in Toronto, Canada.  A Kevin Wallace Ltd. production under license from Tolkien Enterprises.<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''[[1986]]''' - George Allen & Unwin merge with Bell & Hyman in to form Unwin Hyman.<ref name="fob">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://norman.hrc.utexas.edu/Watch/fob_search_results_next.cfm?FOBFirmName=A&FOBNote=&locSTARTROW=191|articlename=Firms out of Business|dated=|website=Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas|accessed=7 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''2007''' - [[Turbine]] releases an MMO videogame based on the literary property only, [[The Lord of the Rings Online]] (LOTRO) under license from Tolkien Enterprises.  Turbine is purchased by WB Games in 2010. LOTRO is purchased by Standing Stone Games in 2016.<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''[[1990]]''' - Unwin Hyman is purchased by [[HarperCollins]].<ref name="fob">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://norman.hrc.utexas.edu/Watch/fob_search_results_next.cfm?FOBFirmName=A&FOBNote=&locSTARTROW=191|articlename=Firms out of Business|dated=|website=Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas|accessed=7 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''2010''' - Tolkien Enterprises changes its name to [[Middle-earth Enterprises]].<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''1990''' - [[Interplay Productions]] aquires the video game rights to ''The Lord of the Rings'' and ''The Hobbit'' and it publishes the videogame ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I (1990 video game)|J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings]]''.
* '''2018''' - Middle-earth Enterprises moves offices.<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''[[1997]]''' - The Saul Zaentz Company options their film rights to ''The Lord of the Rings'' and ''The Hobbit'' to Miramax Films.
* '''[[1998]]''' - [[New Line Cinema]] purchases the film options for ''The Lord of the Rings'' and ''The Hobbit'' from Miramax.<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''[[2000]]''' - [[Vivendi]] acquires the book rights for video games to ''The Lord of the Rings'' and ''The Hobbit'', while [[Electronic Arts]] acquires the film rights for video games only of [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' film series]].
* '''[[2001]]''' - New Line Cinema releases ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring (2001 film)|The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', co-produced and directed by [[Peter Jackson]].
* '''[[2002]]''' - New Line Cinema releases ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers|The Two Towers]]''.
* '''[[2003]]''' - New Line Cinema releases ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''.
* '''[[2004]]''' - Electronic Arts releases ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth|The Battle for Middle-earth]]'', a real time strategy game under a joint license with New Line Cinema and Tolkien Enterprises.
* '''[[2005]]''' - Tolkien Enterprises enters a renewed era of licensing with the worldwide popularity of the Peter Jackson films. New Line and its parent company, Warner Brothers, release a flood of merchandise based upon film assets, under license from Tolkien Enterprises, which enters into new license agreements for merchandise based exclusively upon the Tolkien literary property, including for board games, videogames, jewelry, figurines and other collectibles.<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''[[2006]]''' - Electronic Arts aquires and the book rights and it releases ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II|The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'' video game.
* '''2006''' - ''[[The Lord of the Rings Musical]]'' stage play premieres in Toronto, Canada. A Kevin Wallace Ltd. production under license from Tolkien Enterprises.<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''[[2007]]''' - [[Turbine]] releases an MMO videogame based on the literary property only, ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'' (LOTRO) under license from Tolkien Enterprises.<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''[[2008]]''' - New Line Cinema merges with [[Warner Bros.]] and through this way it obtains distribution rights of [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' film series]] and co-production rights of [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' film series]].<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302060816/http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/02/28/its-official-new-line-cinema-is-dead/|articlename=It's Official - New Line Cinema is Dead!|dated=|website=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080511141903/http://www.firstshowing.net/ FIRSTSHOWING.NET]|accessed=28 February 2008}}</ref>
* '''[[2009]]''' - The Licence for video games passes from Electronic Arts to [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]].<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://kotaku.com/lord-of-the-rings-license-leaves-ea-journeys-back-to-w-5169044|articlename=Lord of the Rings License Leaves EA, Journeys Back To WB|dated=|website=[https://kotaku.com/ Kotaku]|accessed=03 October 2022}}</ref>
* '''[[2010]]''' - Tolkien Enterprises changes its name to [[Middle-earth Enterprises]].<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''2010''' - Turbine is purchased by [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment|WB Games]], and thus WB Games obtains access to LOTRO rights.<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref><ref name="warner">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.engadget.com/2010/04/20/turbine-purchased-by-warner-bros-home-entertainment/|articlename=Turbine purchased by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment|dated=20 April 2010|website=Engadget|accessed=26 November 2022}}</ref>
* '''[[2012]]''' - Warner Bros releases ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey|An Unexpected Journey]]''.
* '''[[2013]]''' - Warner Bros releases ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug|The Desolation of Smaug]]''.
* '''[[2014]]''' - Warner Bros releases ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies|The Battle of the Five Armies]]''.
* '''[[2016]]''' - The rights to LOTRO are sold to [[Standing Stone Games]].<ref name="middle-earth-timeline">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.middleearth.com/timeline.html|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Middle-earth Timeline|dated=|website=Middle-earth Enterprises|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''[[2017]]''' - [[Amazon.com Incorporated|Amazon]] purchases global television rights to ''The Lord of the Rings'' and ''The Hobbit'' from [[Tolkien Estate]] and announces the production of a series through a partnership with the Tolkien Estate, [[Tolkien Trust]], HarperCollins, and New Line Cinema. This includes multiple seasons and potential spinoff series.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://deadline.com/2017/11/amazon-the-lord-of-the-rings-tv-series-multi-season-commitment-1202207065/|Deadline|articlename=Amazon Sets ‘The Lord of the Rings’ TV Series In Mega Deal With Multi-Season Commitment|dated=13 November 2017|website=Deadline|accessed=7 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''[[2022]]''' - Amazon acquires MGM for $8.5 billion, which includes distribution rights to ''The Hobbit''.<ref>{{webcite|author=Jennifer Maas|articleurl=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/amazon-mgm-merger-close-1235207852/|Middle-earth Enterprises|articlename=Amazon Closes $8.5 Billion Acquisition of MGM|dated=17 May, 2022|website=Variety|accessed=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''2022''' - [[Embracer Group]] acquires Middle-earth Enterprises.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://embracer.com/release/embracer-group-enters-into-agreement-to-acquire-ip-rights-to-the-lord-of-the-rings-and-the-hobbit-literary-works-by-j-r-r-tolkien/|articlename=EMBRACER GROUP ENTERS INTO AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE IP RIGHTS TO THE LORD OF THE RINGS AND THE HOBBIT LITERARY WORKS BY J.R.R TOLKIEN|dated=18 August 2022|website=https://embracer.com|accessed=18 August 2022}}</ref>
* '''2022''' - The first season of the first licenced television series, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power|The Rings of Power]]'', is released.


==Current Rights==
==See also==
 
* [[Lawsuits]]
==Lawsuits and Legal Notices==
* [[Middle-earth Enterprises/Copyrights]]


{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Events (real-world)]]
[[Category:Adaptations]]
[[Category:Copyright]]

Revision as of 14:17, 6 February 2023

Licensees infographic by Tim Bolton (2023)

This is the timeline of the history of the adaptations, in copyright level, generally, of works of J.R.R. Tolkien, and specifically, of two of his books, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings:

History

See also

References

  1. Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond (2006), The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: I. Chronology
  2. Todd Jensen, "The Zimmerman Film Treatment of The Lord of the Rings", Beyond Bree, December 1995
  3. Rayner Unwin, George Allen & Unwin: A Remembrancer (1999), p. 109
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 "Middle-earth Timeline", Middle-earth Enterprises (accessed 6 August 2022)
  5. "Tolkien Rights and the Amazon Television Deal – some insight" dated 15 November 2017, TheOneRing.net (accessed 24 October 2022)
  6. "M-G-M IS REPORTED PURCHASING UNITED ARTISTS FOR $350 MILLION", The New York Times (accessed 3 October 2022)
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Firms out of Business", Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas (accessed 7 August 2022)
  8. "It's Official - New Line Cinema is Dead!", FIRSTSHOWING.NET (accessed 28 February 2008)
  9. "Lord of the Rings License Leaves EA, Journeys Back To WB", Kotaku (accessed 3 October 2022)
  10. "Turbine purchased by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment" dated 20 April 2010, Engadget (accessed 26 November 2022)
  11. "Amazon Sets ‘The Lord of the Rings’ TV Series In Mega Deal With Multi-Season Commitment" dated 13 November 2017, Deadline (accessed 7 August 2022)
  12. Jennifer Maas, "Amazon Closes $8.5 Billion Acquisition of MGM" dated 17 May 2024, Variety (accessed 6 August 2022)
  13. "EMBRACER GROUP ENTERS INTO AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE IP RIGHTS TO THE LORD OF THE RINGS AND THE HOBBIT LITERARY WORKS BY J.R.R TOLKIEN" dated 18 August 2022, https://embracer.com (accessed 18 August 2022)