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Atari settles DBZ dispute

Publisher retains rights to anime series through peaceful dialogue, $3.5 million paid to FUNimation.

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In the world of Dragon Ball Z, the fine art of dispute resolution is typically practiced by way of a Kamehameha fireball to the face. Thankfully for Atari and FUNimation, the franchise's publisher and rights-holder, respectively, this world is a more civil place.

Atari this week announced that it has settled its dispute with FUNimation and will retain the US rights to publish games based on the Dragon Ball Z franchise. Under the settlement, Atari will pay FUNimation $3.5 million, with $2.7 million paid in cash and the remaining $800,000 coming from a reduction to its recoupable royalty advancement payment to the animation firm. The original dispute centered on an audit of payments FUNimation was owed under sublicensing agreements.

Atari entered into the Dragon Ball Z agreement with FUNimation in January 2004, when it paid $10 million to the company for exclusive US game rights to the franchise through January 2010. Atari chief restructuring officer Curtis G. Solsvig III said in a statement the company planned to continue its relationship with FUNimation.

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