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Warner Brothers

companyactive45 mentionsFirst seen Mar 4, 2007Last seen Feb 17, 2026

Profile

Warner Brothers is a major media and entertainment company that holds intellectual property rights for numerous film and television franchises used in modern pinball games. In the pinball industry, they serve as a primary IP licensor for premium titles including Beetlejuice, Harry Potter, Scooby-Doo, and Looney Tunes properties, working directly with pinball manufacturers like Spooky Pinball and Jersey Jack to approve designs, provide assets, and negotiate licensing agreements. The company maintains collaborative relationships with pinball makers, providing detailed design documentation (CAD files, style guides) and requiring approval of artwork and game elements. Their licensing approach has evolved to include bundled multi-title contracts that influence manufacturer production strategies.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • affiliated_withBeetlejuiceBeetlejuice is licensed through Warner Brosmedium
  • affiliated_withScooby-DooWarner Bros. license holder for Scooby-Doo intellectual propertymedium
  • affiliated_withHarry Potter PinballWarner Bros holds the license for Harry Potter; approved artwork and thematic contentmedium

Facts

  • achievementLicensed Bugs Bunny to Williams for pinballhigh
  • affiliationIP licensor for Harry Potterhigh
  • affiliationIP licensor for Scooby-Doohigh
  • affiliationIP licensor for Looney Tuneshigh
  • affiliationMaintains existing relationships with pinball manufacturers including Spooky Pinball and Jersey Jackhigh
  • affiliationIP licensor for Beetlejuicehigh
  • attributeProvides comprehensive design approval for pinball games including artwork, CAD files, and design elementshigh

Claims (3)

  • factualhigh

    Warner Brothers approved Harry Potter artwork despite AI quality issues

    Source: Ron and Bruce discussionEpisode 252 – Artificial Intelligence
  • factualmedium

    Warner Brothers does not enforce exclusive licensing deals in pinball, allowing multiple manufacturers to develop the same IP

    Source: Kaneda, citing industry sourcesEpisode 1031: "Crazy Kaneda Rumors!"
  • factualmedium

    Warner Brothers holds licenses preventing remakes of classic games like The Grid

    Source: RetroRalphNew NBA Jam Arcade Game in 2024!?

Recent Mentions (50)

  • IP holder and licensor for Rick and Morty, requires approval on all game elements

    Ep 32: American Horror StoryApr 24, 2021
  • License holder for Willy Wonka IP; working relationship with Jersey Jack Pinball

    Episode 47 - Making of Willy Wonka PinballApr 12, 2019
  • IP licensor for Harry Potter; strictly controls use of promotional assets and images

    The Pinball Show Ep 174 BONUS: Behind The Scenes Of Trough Jam 2025 Phase 2 Game ReleasesApr 22, 2025
  • IP licensor for Scooby-Doo; licensing relationship extends Spooky Pinball's franchise partnerships

    The Pinball Show Ep 144 BONUS: More Bally Williams Remakes, A NEW Scooby Doo Topper, A Princess Bride Tease, & The Return Of PinburghJan 7, 2024
  • IP rights holder; granted Harry Potter pinball license to Jersey Jack Pinball; maintains good relationship with JJP

    The Pinball Show Ep 128: Harry Potter & The Squirt Of PassionMay 22, 2023
  • IP rights holder for Harry Potter; asking $10 million for full licensing for pinball; offered generic license at $800k

    The Pinball Show Ep 134: Rumor Fatigue, The Current Pinball Market Landscape, & Hogwash Pinball

Contradictions

No contradictions detected

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

  • attributeControls character rights and film footage usage for licensed propertieshigh
  • roleTV production company producing Tiny Tunes, Animaniacs, and Tazmania at Star Tunes Studiohigh
  • Aug 1, 2023
  • Harry Potter IP licensor; host speculates WB was upset about AI artwork usage and may have pressured artist/JJP for statement/remediation

    86: Pinball vs AI vs Cale vs JasonJul 3, 2025
  • IP rights holder for Scooby-Doo; Spooky has established licensing relationship; also owns Adult Swim

    Ep 98: A Scooby Doo Christmas with BugDec 14, 2022
  • Licensor of The Matrix; relationship cited as basis for JJP's ability to secure game license

    Episode 678: "JJP Rumors You Haven't Heard"May 15, 2022
  • IP licensor for Looney Tunes; Eric Bauza is official voice actor for Warner Brothers Looney Tunes properties

    Looney Tunes/Texas Chainsaw Massacre Q&A LivestreamDec 8, 2023
  • Publisher of Scooby-Doo and the Spooky Mansion

    Wii Suck @ Video Games - Episode 18 - Scooby-Doo! And The Spooky SwampFeb 22, 2024
  • Provided Wizard of Oz license to Jersey Jack Pinball through licensing negotiations

    Martin Ayub fireside chat with Jack GuarnieriNov 27, 2021
  • Licensor of Harry Potter IP to Jersey Jack Pinball; involved in negotiations and approval process

    Harry Potter Pinball by Jersey Jack Pinball With Jack Guarnieri | Ep 169Jun 7, 2025
  • IP owner/licensor of Harry Potter; Jack's partner since company founding; IP holders played The Hobbit and expressed interest in Harry Potter game

    Jack Guarnieri Interview | How JJP Brought Harry Potter Pinball Machine to LifeJun 10, 2025
  • Film studio; Kaneda claims JJP has 'great relationship' with Warner Brothers and lists prior collaborations (Willy Wonka, Wizard of Oz) to support plausibility of Matrix licensing

    Episode 801: "Steve Ritchie's JJP Title is..."May 7, 2023
  • IP rights holder for Looney Tunes; Spooky maintains ongoing licensing relationship

    Looney Tunes Pinball Featurette (Spooky Pinball, 2023)Dec 8, 2023
  • Holds exclusive licenses to various retro arcade IPs including assets tied to NBA Jam; prevents remakes of classic games like The Grid

    New NBA Jam Arcade Game in 2024!?May 19, 2024
  • Major licensing partner for Pinball Brothers; discussed as key IP negotiation counterparty.

    Pinball Brothers - Dutch Pinball Open Expo 2024 - Pinball NewsNov 5, 2024
  • Issued copyright strike against Deadflip for Rick and Morty pinball content

    Episode 119 - Tony Tackles Total TalkingJul 12, 2020
  • Harry Potter IP licensor; required approval for all game assets, animations, artwork, and mechanic design; imposed strict thematic and narrative constraints including linear story progression and lenticular actor likeness restrictions.

    Team NL @ JJP - Dutch Pinball Open Expo 2025 - Pinball NewsNov 23, 2025
  • IP licensor for Harry Potter; trusts Mina Lima with artwork

    PNP 621-Harry Potter 5 Rad & 1 BadJun 5, 2025
  • Controls Harry Potter IP licensing; recipient of Stern's pitch mockup; has relationship with Jack Guarnieri

    The Rumored Story Behind the Mysterious Harry Potter Pinball Picture - UPDATED with New InfoMay 17, 2023
  • IP holder for Rick and Morty pinball, approval authority for content additions

    The Super Awesome Pinball Show - S01 E18Oct 29, 2020
  • Licensor of The Hobbit IP; provided strict design requirements and approval authority over Smaug toy design and presentation.

    Ep 4 - The Pink FootAug 4, 2020
  • Major studio; Farsight unable to contact; blocks licensing of Batman, LOTR, Game of Thrones, Terminator 3, Austin Powers

    A Box of ChicletsNov 26, 2018
  • Holds film/entertainment rights to Harry Potter IP, would be required licensor for any pinball game adaptation alongside Scholastic and J.K. Rowling

    Harry Nutter and the Call-in CollectorAug 2, 2016
  • Entertainment IP licensor; expensive licensing terms affecting Farsight's ability to secure certain properties (Nightmare on Elm Street, Tales from the Crypt)

    Antisocial Arachnids and Full Service ServosOct 3, 2016
  • Owns New Line Cinema; currently undergoing merger integration with Discovery; implementing content cuts that may impact licensing availability for pinball

    The rest of 2022 as we see itAug 22, 2022
  • IP holder for Harry Potter, Batman; licensing considered prohibitively expensive; Zen has not yet licensed WB properties

    Slow News Weeks Are Awesome!Oct 31, 2018
  • IP licensor for Harry Potter Pinball; maintains strict control over movie footage alteration; franchise team initiated interest in pinball game during 2023 studio visit

    Harry Potter Pinball with Eric Meunier!Aug 2, 2025
  • Major license holder for Harry Potter IP; approval authority for game design elements

    DPP #193 "The Potter Episode!"Jun 8, 2025
  • IP licensor for Willy Wonka; recently merged with AT&T; third JJP license partnership

    Bonus Podcast: Flip Expo 2019 Willy Wonka Interview with Jack GuarnieriApr 13, 2019
  • IP licensor for Harry Potter, potential concern about AI art discovery

    Kaneda's LIVE PREDATOR reaction.Jun 18, 2025
  • Major IP licensor; Phil Gullett and other animators from Warner Brothers contributed to Foo Fighters

    Drinks With Jack Featuring Art Leads Jeremy Packer, Steven Martin & Chuck Ernst (Part 3)Jan 5, 2026
  • Licensor for Wizard of Oz and The Hobbit; controlled asset availability and had licensing restrictions

    Episode 64 – Jean-Paul de Win and Steve GouveiaOct 15, 2018
  • IP rights holder for Scooby-Doo (acquired Hanna-Barbera); provided approvals and licensing for game; assigned collaborative representative who facilitated smooth licensing relationship.

    The Pinball Show: Scooby Doo Pinball w/Bug & Spooky LukeDec 8, 2022
  • Owner of Harry Potter film IP; licensor to Jersey Jack Pinball; key relationship player in licensing negotiations

    The Pinball Show Ep 128: Harry Potter & The Squirt Of PassionMay 23, 2023
  • Licensor of Harry Potter IP; approved playfield artwork despite visible AI artifacts

    Episode 252 – Artificial IntelligenceJul 11, 2025
  • Movie rights holder for Harry Potter films; licensor/approval authority for game elements

    Pinball Magazine & Pinball News PINcast May 2025 recapJun 6, 2025
  • IP licensor; Franchi and Teolis discuss how leakers call to verify IP holdings

    Episode 130: Christopher FranchiMay 17, 2018
  • IP licensor for both Scooby-Doo and Looney Tunes; licensing contract bundled both titles, influencing Spooky's dual-release strategy

    Ep 126: Working in Tandem with Bug and LukeDec 14, 2023
  • IP licensor for Harry Potter; negotiated licensing agreement with Jersey Jack; controls character rights and film footage usage

    Harry Potter Pinball with Eric MeunierJun 10, 2025
  • Licensed Bugs Bunny to Williams; provided style guide and required approval of all artwork; surprisingly collaborative process

    TOPCast 10: John TrudeauMar 4, 2007
  • TV production company with contract for animation work at Star Tunes Studio producing Tiny Tunes, Animaniacs, Tazmania

    TOPCast 52: Stan FukuokaFeb 6, 2008
  • Licensor of Beetlejuice IP; approved artwork and design elements; received final game presentation from Spooky

    Beetlejuice Pinball Featurette (Spooky Pinball, 2025)Nov 14, 2025
  • Harry Potter IP licensor; provided gigabyte-sized CAD files for wand designs; approves design elements

    Inside Jersey Jack Pinball: Harry Potter Pinball on the Production Line | Chicago Pinball Expo 2025Jan 11, 2026
  • License holder for Beetlejuice IP; approval required for reveal trailer before public announcement

    I Want a BJ from Spooky Pinball!Oct 29, 2025
  • Beetlejuice film rights holder; granted comprehensive asset usage approval; involved in Zoom licensing meetings with Spooky; prior relationship through Scooby-Doo and Looney Tunes titles

    Spooky's Beetlejuice PinballNov 14, 2025
  • Former employer of Joshua Clay; cut mobile games division, leading to his transition to pinball

    Meet The Team... Joshua Clay - Winchester Mystery House - UI & 3D DesignOct 21, 2025
  • IP licensor for Beetlejuice; had existing relationship with Spooky Pinball

    Dirty Pool Podcast - Ep24 - Christopher Franchi (Spooky Pinball Art)Feb 5, 2026