The holding rights for the popular 'Terminator' franchise have expired, and thus will be going up for auction.

The sale of the rights come just two weeks after the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise was sold for R480-million.

According to The Financial Times, "the interest in the future rights of Terminator underscores the value of intellectual property during a tough time for Hollywood. That value has held up, with Walt Disney recently agreeing a hefty premium in its $4-billion (R32-billion) deal to buy Marvel Entertainment."

Rumour has it that Sony is interested in the franchise, although they declined to comment. Other big studios have also shown interest, but no further details have been issued.

"The rights are being sold by Halcyon (who filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy), the production company behind 'Terminator Salvation', the latest instalment in the series, which grossed $380-million (R3.0-billion) worldwide.

"The auction does not cover earlier 'Terminator' films. The rights will give the buyer the ability to make new 'Terminator' films, TV programmes and other spin-offs that build on the popularity of the franchise", the publication concluded.