Well, there's good news and bad news and we're not sure how the bad news will end up playing out, so do keep those excellent vibes and xylophones coming strong.
The good news is that Image Entertainment has no problem with the rights to the documentary reverting back to me. The bad news is that I apparently did NOT sign a seven-year licensing agreement, I signed a TEN year licensing agreement. Why I would have done so is anyone's guess, because I know that seven years was what was discussed. I probably didn't even look at the contract when I signed it. So, in the worst case scenario, we have to postpone our release until June of 2012, about eight months from now. If that's what has to be then that's what has to be and I'll put the word out.
But I sent them a long, impassioned e-mail asking if there was any way to bring this to a happy conclusion so that we could meet our release date, as to not do so will cause me much grief and hardship. Of course, no one gets back quickly so I have no idea how long it will be until I get a response - I do know that the fellow I know there is coming back on Monday and I'm hoping he can stop them from taking the hard line.
Basically, what I told them is that they only have this for DVD and VHS, neither of which I'm releasing on. I also told them that they actually have not been selling this anywhere for over a year - it's only available through third-party sellers and seems to be going for a premium price these days. Hence, they really don't have anything to lose by signing off eight months early. I'd let them have a year instead of the contractual six months to sell off any stock - but they have no stock - this I know because every time I've had to order DVDs they have to make them for me. They've made a nice chunk of change on the DVD and since the DVD market is basically dead, they really would not have many more sales.
So, I've asked them to please think about it and that I am happy to listen to any and all suggestions as to how we can all be comfortable and happy in ending our agreement seven months early. I'm hoping someone there has a heart, but we shall see what we shall see. Even if it involved a small payment to them, it would be worth it just to keep this on track.