After the shock of the announcement last week that Disney is to acquire Marvel Entertainment in a deal worth $4 billion, the licensing industry is coming to terms with what it could mean for our industry.

An update from Reuters at the end of last week, said that Marvel would have to pay the Walt Disney Company a termination fee of $140 million if it terminates the proposed deal.

According to a securities filing, Marvel has the right to stop the merger to pursue a 'superior deal'. However, the firm has agreed not to solicit other merger offers, Reuters reported.

Licensing industry executives are now wondering what long-term implications the deal could have for the industry in general.

"Big deals like this are difficult to pull off and for that reason I don’t think it will be happening every week, but I can see more mergers and acquisitions at a lower level as companies strive to create more efficiency and mass," Ian Downes, MD of Start Licensing said.

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If you would like to add your views on the Disney/Marvel merger, simply leave a comment in the box below or email Samantha Loveday.