The late Charles Schulz ( expired in February, 2000 ) created Peanuts. The unit that holds the licesing rights to Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang is United Media Licensing. They also hold licensing rights to Dilbert and Fancy Nancy. E W Scripps owns United Media Licensing. Scripps has decided to sell this unit to Joe Boxer owner Iconix Brand Group Inc. and the family of cartoonist Charles Schulz.Iconix acquires  an 80 per cent share and the Schulz 20 per cent. The unit’s licensed merchandise rights have been sold, but Scripps still owns syndication comic strips. The comic strip celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2010.Charlie Brown and Snoopy were introduced in October, 1950. Peanuts is considered one of the most influencial comic strips of all times.