What do Paul the Octopus, Google ‘doodle’ and Astle Paterson have in common?
Paul the Octopus gained celebrity status for his predictions relating to the World Cup 2010.
Born in Weymouth, England in 2008, Paul was a common octopus who moved to live in a tank at a Sea Life Centre in Oberhausen, Germany. Paul, an animal oracle, predicted the results of international football matches in both Euro 2008 and, more famously, in the 2010 World Cup.
During his predictions, Paul was presented with two boxes containing food, each marked with the flag of a national football team in an upcoming match. His success rate was 85%, with 11 out of 13 matches correctly predicted. Indeed, he predicted that Spain would win against the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final.
His fame continued after the 2010 World Cup was concluded – many people and organisations sought his prediction services and other commercial opportunities.
The subsequent commercial agreements and contracts relating to his services were drawn up by Astle Paterson in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. These included agreements relating to Paul’s image appearing in books and on toys.
Whilst Paul died in October 2010, aged 2 ½ years (a normal lifespan for common octopuses) some of the commercial agreements and contracts relating to Paul continue after his death – in the form of royalty payments. Thankfully, Paul is not liable to pay Inheritance Tax.
Indeed, nearly 4 years after Paul’s death, his fame has not diminished – today (17th June 2014) he is featured in a Google ‘doodle’, in the afterlife, choosing his World Cup 2014 prediction between Belgium -v- Algeria.
Please contact Astle Paterson’s Corporate department to discuss your need for commercial agreements and contracts further on either 01283 531366 or by way of email to jpaterson@astlepaterson.co.uk.
