Well, it's a matter of getting in touch with one of their regional reps.  I'd suggest calling information to get the number for Hasbro corporate.  They're located in Pawtucket, RI if you need to know.

They can help you establish an account.  However, you have to make, at least as of the last time I'd heard, an initial order of $5,000 or more.  All subsequent orders have to be substantial, at least over $1,000 in value.

I was at a local EB Games, and they have a trade in special:  trade in an old console plus 7 games, and get the X-Box for $129.99.  So, I'm going to trade in my PS-1 and some games to get an X-Box.  Not a terrible deal, IMO.  Then I can get some of the SW titles for this system!  Muhahahahahaha!

Trick.  It's a custom most likely.

You're correct, Peter did have a 20% stake in Led Zeppelin.  Considering what he was able to achieve for the band through his negotiations, he more than earned his pay.

As for taking an active interest, I think it's imperative for any artist to know how and where their income is generated.  I know a college in my area that has a music management major, and I'm on the verge of taking some courses to get further acquainted with how the business end of things works.  There's never such a thing as too much knowledge.

It will probably depend on how the sales continue.  If sales remain solid following the release of ROTK, maybe ToyBiz will keep moving it forward.  You can also keep some measure of hope since there is a strong possibility of "The Hobbit" making it's way to the big screen in a few years.

Wow, you know your music business!  Actually though, touring and ancillary merchandise sales are a large percentage of a musicians income as well.

As for the various types of royalties you mentioned, the performance one is for the actual performance on the recording.  This one pays on a per unit (disc, tape, etc) basis.  The typical major label  rate is $.08 to $.11 per disc.  Rather pathetic, to be honest.  Business models like Ani DiFranco's Righteous Babe records, a self owned label, have proven far more profitable.

The mechanical is paid based on airplay.  Soundscan, an independent monitoring company,  keeps track of how many times a given recording is played on radio, and broadcasters pay a fee per playout.  MTV, however, has managed to skirt around paying mechanicals since they term music videos as promotional material, and not a musical performance.  I've yet to see anyone take on MTV to payout mechanicals, and they probably won't for fear of being blackballed by one of the biggest forces in the music industry.  Ironic, since MTV made their name playing music videos, but barely shows them at all anymore.

Print income is for sheet music sales.  This is usually a partnership with a publishing house that will do the actually score printing, and take a percentage of the sales as a fee.  This is a very low percentage source of income.

Synchronization fees refer to film or television use of  a song in a given production.  Fees must be paid for rights to use the song.  In the case of every artist, it's imperative to hold onto these publishing rights, as syncing fees can bring in serious money.  A single track being put on a movie soundtrack and placement in a major motion picture can easily run a couple hundred thousand dollars for a low level band on a major label.  A band I know was set to appear on the "American Wedding" soundtrack, and they had negotiated a fee in the mid 100 thousand range.  Too bad the deal fell through for them.  

Additionally, merch and touring are big income draws.  Far bigger than most people realize.  It dwarfs the $.08 to $.11 per disc that most major label artists earn in their performance royalty.  Bands like Metallica (an extreme example) have made themselves rich for a lifetime because of touring and merch.

Actually, Jimi Hendrix's family finally regained control of his music within the past few years.  So, money from sales of any Hendrix music goes to his family.

And you are correct, Sems Fir.  The people who own rights to songs, called publishing rights in the music industry, are the ones who primarily benefit from the sales of music.  Yes, record labels also benefit from the sales of CDs, but CD sales are how a large number of musicians earn a living, and most of them are far from being rich.

THE YANKEES WIN!  THU-UH-UH YANKEES WIN!

And another Yankee third baseman comes through in the clutch during the postseason!  Unbelievable!

To the Red Sox fans:  your team fought valiantly, all the way to the 11th inning.  You should be proud of your team.