By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Canadian-based toymaker Spin Master announced it has won several landmark IP protection cases in the Chinese courts. While many Western companies have in the past complained about IP theft in China, Spin Master says its victories are a positive sign of China's commitment to tackle counterfeiting and IP infringement in the toy industry. "These … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Spin Master Wins Key IP Legal Actions in China
Licensing Law
Licensing Law: IP Theft and Fraud Rampant In NFT Markets
A TLL Special Report: For Members Only By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The value and popularity of NFTs has soared over the past year, but a wave of fraud and IP thefts threaten to derail the marketplace. That's a major problem for licensing companies, which have seized on non-fungible tokens as a way to create value for digital collectibles. The NBA's Top Shots program, … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: IP Theft and Fraud Rampant In NFT Markets
Licensing Law: Actor Gets 20 Years For Licensing Ponzi scheme
Zach Horwitz Sentenced For $230 Million Fraud Based On False Claims of Licensing Deals With Netflix and HBO Max By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief For most of his adult life, 35-year-old Zachary Horwitz (aka Zach Avery) was an actor in a number of low-budget horror flicks. But his big role came when he starred as the central character in an equally terrifying, $230 million … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Actor Gets 20 Years For Licensing Ponzi scheme
ChizComm Founders Out At Genius Brands Over Contract Dispute
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The founders of Chizcomm have exited Genius Brands over a contractual dispute and conflict over strategic vision. ChizComm was acquired in November of 2020 by Genius Brands, which has grown rapidly due to an aggressive acquisition strategy. At the time, all seemed like sweetness and light would prevail. This week, however, Chizcomm … [Read more...] about ChizComm Founders Out At Genius Brands Over Contract Dispute
Licensing Law: Andy Warhol Foundation Asks Supreme Court For Legal Review
The Andy Warhol Foundation is asking the Supreme Court to weigh in on a lawsuit over the artist's Prince Series, produced in 1984. The lawsuit was filed in 2017 by photographer Lynn Goldsmith, who claims Warhol’s Prince Series was largely based on photographs she took while on assignment for Newsweekmagazine. Those photos, like Warhol's paintings, depict the rock star Prince, … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Andy Warhol Foundation Asks Supreme Court For Legal Review
Licensing Law: MediaMuv Charged With Stealing $20 Million in Music Royalties From YouTube
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Officials in Arizona have charged two men on allegations they defrauded YouTube of $20 million by falsely claiming they owned rights to more than 50,000 songs. According to a statement from the US Attorney's Office charges have been laid against Jose Teran of Scottsdale, Az. and Webster Batista, 38, of Doral, Fla. The allegations include … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: MediaMuv Charged With Stealing $20 Million in Music Royalties From YouTube
IP Management: Brainbase Licensing Suite Wins Major Award
Brainbase, the venture-backed company helping licensing teams optimize their partnerships from contract to revenue, this week announced it has been selected as winner of the Contract Management Solution Provider of the Year award in the second annual LegalTech Breakthrough Awards program. LegalTech Breakthrough is a leading independent market intelligence organization that … [Read more...] about IP Management: Brainbase Licensing Suite Wins Major Award
Licensing Law: ZAG To Give IP Pirates The Heave Ho
ZAG Creates Internal Anti-Piracy Department With Two New Hires The independent animation studio ZAG is establishing an anti-piracy department to protect the company’s intellectual property rights for its brands, content, and products in the global marketplace and to manage counterfeit enforcement. The immediate focus is for the company’s hit flagship brand, Miraculous™, Tales … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: ZAG To Give IP Pirates The Heave Ho
Game Over! China Suspends New Licenses For Video Games
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief China has upped the ante in its onslaught against video gaming, reportedly suspending the licensing of new video games. The move follows other recent policy changes in China, as the government has drastically limited the amount of time children can spend gaming, and app stores in the country have begun to deplatform unauthorized … [Read more...] about Game Over! China Suspends New Licenses For Video Games
Not So Fast: DOJ Sues To Block Acquisition of Simon & Schuster
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The US Dept. of Justice has filed suit to block the $2.2 billion acquisition of publishing giant Simon & Schuster by Bertelsmann, the parent company of its larger rival Penguin Random House. DOJ lawyers allege the takeover of the ViacomCBS subsidiary “would result in substantial harm to authors,” reducing competition, and creating a single … [Read more...] about Not So Fast: DOJ Sues To Block Acquisition of Simon & Schuster