M.R. Kinowelt Merchandising (MRKM), the recently formed joint venture between German mini-major Kinowelt and Munich-based M.R. Merchandising & Retail, has acquired the German merchandising rights to New Line Cinema's upcoming Lord Of The Rings trilogy

The deal makes MRKM the first Lord Of The Rings licensee outside the US. MRKM CEO Marlies Rasl said the German Rings merchandising will include toys, clothing, computer games, calendars and an updated German translation of the trilogy which Klett & Cotta will showcase at the Frankfurt Bookfair this autumn.

Rasl's M.R. Merchandising & Retail owns German merchandising rights to the South Park animated series and the upcoming Tombraider feature.