Mobile games publisher Thumbstar Games announced a “landmark deal” with Viva Red and China Telecom, which it said will provide its developer partners with “access to a vast consumer base while maintaining copyright protection for valuable IP [intellectual property].”

The company said that it has begun negotiations with partners for the availability of back catalogue and future releases, on Java and smartphone platforms.

In a statement, Gareth Edmonson, CEO of Thumbstar, said: “Our direct partnership with Viva Red and China Telecom delivers a secure route to a previously unmapped and unprotected market. The terms of this landmark deal will enable developers across the globe to leverage existing and future IPs to a content-hungry audience, with the peace of mind that this state-backed partnership can provide the necessary copyright protection to encourage further market growth.”