Freedom Fighters not allowed in IDW series

[Sonicroc]

According to Ian Flynn, Sega of Japan is preventing IDW from using any characters from the TV shows (including, obviously, the Freedom Fighters.) Apparently Archie was allowed to keep using them because of the old contracts.

Doesn't sound like this is anything specifically against the Western continuities; I take it this also applies to the OVA and Sonic X.

[Sonicroc]

Update: In BumbleKast #82, Ian Flynn clarifies that the "not allowed" language isn't accurate; characters from spinoffs are simply unlikely.

My thoughts: The fact of the matter is, it sounds like Sega is giving IDW the message that they shouldn't use the Freedom Fighters; so it seems like it amounts to the same thing.

[SynjoDeonecros]

Well, Sega of Japan is ultimately the final authority on it, so what they say goes. It's unfortunate, but as I've said, I feel that the Freedom Fighters are too intrinsically linked to Archie to really be able to be brought over without some serious overhauls that would tick off a LOT of Archie Sonic/SatAM fans, so it's well enough that they're not allowed in.

[SynjoDeonecros]

One thing my boyfriend pointed out that makes this position a little shaky; Sega has a "Road to 2020" thing going on, where they have plans to give certain branches of their company (like Sega of America and Sega of Europe) total authority over certain IPs, and SoA is going to be given Sonic, so if that's true, then there's a chance SoA could possibly reverse that "No non-game characters in IDW Sonic" mandate, when that transfer happens.