(Newser) – Conan O'Brien may be about to leave NBC with $30 million in his pocket, but he won't be able to take along his masturbating bear, his predictions for the year 3000, or any other of his comedy bits. Sources tell the Hollywood Reporter that the network won't let Conan resurrect any of the trademarked segments and characters elsewhere.





The upshot of the decision—reminiscent of Letterman's fight with the network years ago over "intellectual property"—is that Conando, Pimpbot 5000, and countless others will likely never be seen again once Conan signs off on Jan. 22. Fans of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog don't have to panic, at least just yet. It's not clear who owns the rights to the character, NBC or O'Brien buddy Robert Smigel.

(Read more Conan O'Brien stories.)

