Sci-fi IP race intensifies as toy-makers vie for silver screen characters
China's domestic toy-makers are rushing to buy intellectual property rights to merchandise miniatures and other products based on characters and objects relating to Chinese silver screen sci-fi smash hits such as The Wandering Earth.
The rush can be attributed to the booming China sci-fi content. Local toy-makers are desperate to outgrow their image of being long-term original equipment manufacturers for global clients such as The Walt Disney Co or Japan's Studio Ghibli.
Based on a novella of the same name by Liu Cixin, The Wandering Earth generated 20 billion yuan ($2.99 billion) at the box office between Feb 5 and April 13. Its costumes and stage properties like giant trucks, police vehicles, space stations and airships have become prime IP targets of struggling toy-makers.
