Today Tulip Computers NV (Tulip) and Ironstone Partners Ltd. (Ironstone) signed a licence agreement for a partnership, which is a major step in the global re-launch of the Commodore brand name.
Tulip will receive a license fee for all Commodore C64 products delivered by Ironstone, installed on all computer brands using the Microsoft or any other operating system and all Commodore 64 branded products. In addition, Tulip will receive a license fee over the revenue from software downloads, subscriptions and advertising.
Even today there is still an extensive group of about 6 million loyal Commodore users and enthusiasts around the world. This community is currently spread over hundreds of unofficial websites. The community craves acknowledgement and authenticity from the true Commodore C64 brand. Tulip is the owner of the brand name Commodore. Through this partnership Tulip grants to Ironstone the exclusive rights to exploit the official Commodore C64 web-portal and use of the Commodore 64 brand name.
Ironstone and Tulip invite the Commodore community to join the official Commodore C64 web-portal. Currently there are about 300 commercial websites that use the name Commodore or Commodore 64 without having a license from Tulip. Tulip will not allow unauthorised use of the Commodore brand.
In this partnership, Ironstone will create the official Commodore C64 games and community portal designed to focus and harness the power of the Commodore C64 user base and to efficiently provide the services required by these individuals for a fee. The founders of Ironstone are experienced and successful, in previous similar projects Ironstone achieved a subscriber to pay subscriber conversion rate that was unparalleled in the Internet space.
The main objective of the Ironstone official C64 portal is to unite this massive global fan base of passionate enthusiasts. Through its web portal, Ironstone will market the official C64 emulator in various software and hardware formats. The games offered by the Ironstone web-portal will include the famous ‘classic’ C64 games as well as exciting new games and will also sell its Commodore-branded products through the site.
Tulip will get full access to the estimated 6 million users and will also sell its Commodore branded products through this portal. Tulip will introduce, the upcoming months, new hardware products under the Commodore brand name, being able to use the C64 emulator.
According to Bjorn Bruggeman, Brand Manager Commodore: ”Through strategic partnerships we’re creating a web of Commodore partner companies. Each partner, or licensee, is selected on his unique expertise and will focus on a specific market segment within the Commodore strategy. The synergy advantages are huge. The license agreement with Ironstone is an important step in this process and will enable Tulip to enter a complete new era with almost unlimited e-commerce opportunities. “
Darren Melbourne, Creative Director, Ironstone Partners commented, “ The license deal with Tulip is a huge breakthrough for the millions of C64 enthusiasts and retro gamers around the world who are still loyal to this incredible games system. Ironstone is committed to bringing this technology and games library back to prominence on every platform available to us.”
Commodore C64 facts and figures
- The C64 is the biggest selling home computer in world history.
- The C64 has an unparalleled heritage as a groundbreaking games and home use PC.
- The C64’s role in the evolution of the modern games industry was incredible powerful and the echoes of its influence still reverberate through the industry today.
- Even today there is still an extensive group of about 6 million loyal Commodore users and enthusiasts around the world.
- A countless number of hobbyists and Commodore enthusiast have kept the community alive. An Internet search on Commodore is still good for about 50,000 hits.
- Currently there are about 300 commercial websites that use the name Commodore or Commodore 64.
- Over 6000 games have been created for the C64
- The brand awareness of the Commodore logo is still one of highest in the industry. The famous Commodore ‘chicken head’ logo, which date from 1984, has been slightly changed to gracefully mark the new era Commodore is entering.
About Tulip Computers
Tulip Computers (Tulip) is a European A-brand computer manufacturer and has grown to become an internationally renown, market leading company. Being founded in 1979, Tulip has been active in the computer industry for more than 20 years and is one of the most experienced computer manufacturers in the world. Indeed, since 1981, Tulip has developed its own computers, pioneered by its own Research & Development department in dedicated Tulip manufacturing plants.
Tulip head-office is located in Amersfoort (the Netherlands), as is the helpdesk, technical department and notebook production line. The Tulip head-office is also responsible for the General Management, Research & Development and Marketing & Communication on world wide level. Tulip owns sales offices in the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. Besides these offices, Tulip works closely together with the in 2002 privatised Tulip sales offices in the Benelux, France, Italy and the UK. In addition, Tulip has joint ventures with distributors in countries where it does not have its own sales offices.
Tulip offers a comprehensive product range, which is ideally suited to meet the requirements of the professional, educational, medical, SME and retail markets. Tulip product lines include a wide range of servers, desktops, notebooks under brand name Tulip and communication products under brand names Dynalink and Conceptronic. Tulip has acquired Commodore in 1997. With Commodore, Tulip owns a strong brand name that includes a wide range of multi media products and mobile computing. The emphasis in this consumer oriented product line is on retail sales. In addition, other Commodore ICT products are marketed under the Commodore brand by a number of licencees.
Tulip Computers is an international IT supplier that integrates servers, deskbound computers, notebooks and communication products in a total solution for the IT user. Tulip’s shares have been traded on the Euronext stock exchange since 1984.
For more information, please contact:
Tulip Computers N.V.
Bjorn Bruggeman
P.O. Box 150
NL-3800 AD Amersfoort
Tel: +31 (0) 33 45.49.482
Fax: +31 (0) 33 45.49.499
E-mail: press@tulip.com
Internet: www.tulip.com
About Ironstone Partners
Ironstone Partners Ltd is a commercial vehicle created and funded by a number of individuals with a combined experience of over 100 years in the global games and media industries. With Offices in the UK and Canada, Ironstone has been created to pursue strategic and speculative games opportunities outside the remit of the current focus of the large games industry companies.
Ironstone Partners owns an extensive portfolio of games I.P.R. and is always willing to discuss interesting propositions in the games and media space.
For further information please contact Danielle Woodyatt or Kat Osman at Lunch PR on 020 7633 0633 or email (firstname)@lunchpr.com
If you wish to contact Ironstone Partners please send an email to info@ironstonepartners.com