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uWink Signs Three-Year Agreement with Bell
uWink, Inc. last week announced the signing of a three-year manufacturing and exclusive distribution agreement with Bell-Fruit Games, Ltd., the leading designer and manufacturer of gaming and amusement machines in the United Kingdom. Bell-Fruit Games is a subsidiary of Danoptra Holdings Ltd., formerly known as Kunick PLC and parent company of other well known brands such as Gamestec, RLMS, Mazooma and QPS, all market leaders in the operation, distribution, design and manufacture of gaming and other payout games throughout the UK. Under the terms of the agreement, uWink grants Bell-Fruit Games license to manufacture its patent-pending, interactive Bear Shop vending machine. In addition, the agreement awards exclusive marketing and distribution rights for the Bear Shop to Bell-Fruit Games in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain. uWink is to receive per-unit royalties for each machine sold, and has retained exclusive rights to supply the bears, clothing and accessory "consumables" to Bell-Fruit Games' customers, generating the potential for a substantial base of recurring revenue per machine.
The Bear Shop is a patent-pending, interactive vending machine that allows purchasers to dress and accessorize teddy bears through an entertaining touchscreen-controlled animation. Selected products are vended in unique, compressed packages, the contents of which suddenly spring to life when released. On the heels of a successful introduction into the U.S. market, Bell-Fruit introduced its version of the machine at the Amusement Trade Exhibition International in London last week and received an enthusiastic response from customers. Both companies were delighted with the strong interest at the show. Production will begin in March. Richard Wilson, on behalf of Bell-Fruit Games, said, "We are very pleased to have entered into this arrangement with uWink and look forward to developing markets for this product in Europe and the UK."
Nolan Bushnell, President and Chief Executive Officer of uWink, said, "Bell-Fruit Games is a well-established and highly respected manufacturer of entertainment gaming equipment in Europe, making them an ideal partner to direct our efforts in Europe. We believe that this partnership will greatly accelerate our Bear Shop sales and contribute to the continued growth of international sales for all our products. We believe that with the strength of Bell-Fruit as a partner, the European market has the potential to buy thousands of units. We envisage a long and mutually profitable relationship, not only on current products but those in the concept stage as well."
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