Jakks Pacific, Inc. signed a licensing agreement with AMC to manufacture, distribute, and market Deluxe Plug It In & Play TV Games based on The Walking Dead, the original drama series on AMC. The Walking Dead Deluxe TV Games line is expected to launch at retail nationwide next fall. The Walking Dead Deluxe TV Games from Jakks features a realistic pump-and-shoot shotgun controller that plugs into the A/V jacks of any standard TV, and contains multiple games in each controller.

Jakks also signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Marvel Entertainment, LLC for a line of plush products based on the Marvel Super Hero Squad that ties into the new Marvel virtual online world, HeroUp.com. The product line is expected to include collectible plush, plush clip-ons, and large plush with online components. The line is expected to launch at specialty retailers this spring with broad distribution in mass retail channels starting in 2013. Under the same agreement, Jakks has the rights to manufacture, distribute, and market skill and action games inspired by Marvel classic characters, slated to launch this spring.

Hasbro is accusing Asus of trademark infringement with the release of the Transformer Prime tablet.

The toymaker claimed in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles federal court last week that the electronics maker is creating confusion by blending the Transformers and Optimus Prime names. Hasbro said in a statement that Asus is counting on consumers associating the new tablet with children’s toys to sell the Transformer Prime. Hasbro is seeking damages and an injunction preventing sales of the tablet.

The 10.3-inch tablet transforms into what is essentially an Android-based laptop when connected to an optional keyboard/dock.

Central News Agency’s Focus Taiwan news channel reported that production of the Asus Transformer Prime tablet will continue and will not be affected by a trademark infringement lawsuit, according to Asus spokesman Chang Wei-ming. Internal assessments conducted by the company found no patent infringement issues, and the company feels that the lawsuit is unlikely to affect production, Chang said.

Barnes & Noble, Inc. has partnered with Nickelodeon, offering the first-ever digital books from the brand. Books featuring Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer are available in a digital format, only for Barnes & Noble customers through NOOK Color Reader’s Tablet and the free NOOK Kids for iPad application.

Barnes & Noble is now offering a dozen interactive NOOK Kids Nickelodeon titles, and will expand to more than 20 next month.

Discovery Communications is expanding its Discovery Expedition product line with two new licensing deals. Zeikos Inc. will develop a collection of consumer electronic accessories. Specific products, including digital cameras, waterproof earphones, sports armband music player, swivel iPad speaker and protector case, webcam speaker system, portable travel speaker system, weatherproof MP3 and MP4 docking system, will debut at retail this fall.

Additionally, Bravo Sports will produce a line of camping and tailgating chairs. Products will launch in spring 2012. The Discovery Expedition line of chairs will feature canopies and cargo pockets for storage.

The North-American deals were brokered on behalf of Discovery Communications by its licensing agent, the Joester Loria Group.

Patch Products’ dice game Word Shout is now an app for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Created by Paze Interactive, the Word Shout app uses sound effects, music, high-score features and customization.

How it Works: Ten lettered dice are presented to the player randomly. First, find a word. Then, swipe up to play the word. The player has 30 seconds (or 60 seconds based on their choosing) to spell as many legitimate words as possible—the longer the word, the higher the score. The app can be played solo or one-on-one with friends on Game Center or with the Pass-N-Play feature. The difficulty level, game length and round length are adjustable.

Word Shout is now available through the App Store for $0.99.

Bradford License India has entered into a brand management agreement to represent The Sharper Image licensing initiatives in India.

The Sharper Image offers products in many categories, including consumer electronics, personal care, health and wellness, home and small kitchen appliances, luggage and travel accessories, air purifiers, and many more.

Today, Scholastic Media debuts its first children’s storybook apps designed specifically for the iPad.  Under the new brand of “Touch & Tilt” line of iPad book apps, this is Scholastic’s first foray into the children’s iPad book app market.

The three apps in the Touch & Tilt line, available on the iTunes App Store, include I Love You Through And Through, which focuses on “emotional play”; The Magic School Bus: Oceans, which has seven interactive science explorations; and Go, Clifford, Go!, which explores vehicles and motion.

Sesame Workshop and Callaway Digital Arts, interactive publisher of children’s and lifestyle apps for the iPad, announced that “The Monster at the End of This Book” for iPad is now available in Apple’s App Store. This is the first Sesame Street app designed specifically for iPad. Based on the 1971 book, the app is narrated by the Sesame Street character Grover and highlights words to help build beginning reading skills. The app also features tips for parents.

Gossipgamers.com

According to a recent article on Kotaku.com, every video game geek out there needs to jump for joy: There might be a new Halo movie. Discussion of a new film supposedly went down at the Future of Television East conference in New York City last week. The conversation went something like this:

Bigwig network exec: We want to do something with Halo.

Halo Franchise Development Director Frank O’Connor: Bring piles of money.

Bigwig network exec: For Halo, we will.

You might be asking yourself two questions right now: First off, are movie deals really made in such a lackadaisical manner? Secondly, Halo is old school, why are they talking about a movie now?

Well, I can’t answer the first question, but the latter might have something to do with licensing rights. Short version: According to the article, Microsoft owns the rights to the whole shebang, so the movie studio could only profit off of the movie. That’s right kids, no T-shirts, coffee mugs, stuffed animals, etc.

Maybe Microsoft will even make the movie or a TV show to remedy the whole merchandising situation. Time will tell. But if the project doesn’t materialize, let the nerd rage begin.

—Mackenzie Allison

Kideo, a creator of personalized and branded video products, has launched its newly redesigned website this week. The new site allows users to create their own customized videos on Kideo.com through online streaming and instant downloading. Kids can star alongside their favorite animated characters including Dora the Explorer, Spider-Man, Barney, Precious Moments, and the Care Bears in an online adventure. Families can also share their customized videos with friends and relatives on social networking sites such as Facebook and YouTube through the streaming and downloadable options.

Personalized video streams and downloadables are available for $7.99 and $9.99, while keepsake personalized DVDs retail for $19.99. Additionally, the site offers a new free trial option, which gives parents and children the opportunity to enjoy short clips from each video at no charge.