By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Move over Disney; the animation house Kartoon Studios is launching its own franchise for the A.A. Milne classic Winnie-The-Pooh. Today, the global studio announced new funding and critical new hires for the franchise, saying licensing and consumer products will be a major aspect of the program. The rights to the Winnie-The-Pooh … [Read more...] about Kartoon Studios Launching Its Own Winnie-The-Pooh Franchise
Licensing Law
Must Read: Supreme Court Rules Against Warner Music in Copyright Case
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Photo by Sunira Moses The US Supreme Court found there is no time limit for damages in copyright cases, ruling against Warner Music in a precedent-setting lawsuit. The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled in favor of Miami-based music producer Sherman Nealy, who became embroiled in a legal battle with Warner Music over a song by the popular … [Read more...] about Must Read: Supreme Court Rules Against Warner Music in Copyright Case
It’s Rolex vs. Hallmark in Battle of the Crown Logos
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief It's a trademark battle of royal proportions, as watchmaker Rolex has opposed Hallmark's bid to register its crown logo for use with jewelry. In the image above, the Rolex logo is at the left, and the Hallmark logo is to the right. The issue came up after Hallmark submitted a request to the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to … [Read more...] about It’s Rolex vs. Hallmark in Battle of the Crown Logos
George Carlin Estate Settles Lawsuit Over ‘AI Comedy Special’
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The estate of George Carlin won a settlement with a media company over a fake, hour-long comedy special, purportedly using AI to portray the comedian. As TLL first reported in January, the estate filed a federal lawsuit against the comedy podcast Dudesy for an hour-long comedy special sold as an AI-generated impression of the late … [Read more...] about George Carlin Estate Settles Lawsuit Over ‘AI Comedy Special’
Licensing Law: Google Faces Fines, Multibillion Dollar Lawsuit In Europe
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The search and advertising giant Google is facing a double whammy of legal threats over its media activities in the European Union. In one case, Google was fined €250 million on March 20 by French regulators, who say the company breached an agreement to pay media companies for reproducing their content online. In the second case, … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Google Faces Fines, Multibillion Dollar Lawsuit In Europe
What Will A TikTok Ban Mean For Brands and Licensing?
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The threat of a TikTok ban just got a lot more real, leaving brands, influencers and businesses scrambling to find a 'Plan B' for social media influence. The US House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday, March 13, that would require TikTok's parent company ByteDance to sell the social media platform or face what amounts to a … [Read more...] about What Will A TikTok Ban Mean For Brands and Licensing?
Three News Outlets Join Copyright Battle Against ChatGPT Owner OpenAI
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief News outlets The Intercept, Raw Story and AlterNet have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, joining the fight against unauthorized use of journalism by generative artificial intelligence. The organizations say thousands of their stories were used by OpenAI to train its ChatGPT chatbot to answer questions posed to it by users, essentially using … [Read more...] about Three News Outlets Join Copyright Battle Against ChatGPT Owner OpenAI
Donna Summer’s Widower Sues Kanye West for ‘Stealing’ Hit Song
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The estate of the late disco queen Donna Summer is suing Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign, alleging they used her song I Feel Love without permission. The suit is being brought by Summer's widower Bruce Sudano, who is also the executor of her estate. Filed in California on Tuesday, the lawsuit alleges West and Ty initially asked for permission … [Read more...] about Donna Summer’s Widower Sues Kanye West for ‘Stealing’ Hit Song
Nike Suing Sneaker Designer on Allegations of Trademark Infringement
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Footwear and fitness giant Nike is suing a small sneaker designer for allegedly putting out copies of its Air Jordan 1 High sneakers. In a complaint filed in New Jersey District Court Jan. 25, Nike called Global Heartbreak founder Naadier Riles a "bootlegger" (pun intended?), saying the designer essentially copied its Air Jordans, and put … [Read more...] about Nike Suing Sneaker Designer on Allegations of Trademark Infringement
SAG-AFTRA Calling for Ban on Deep Fake Porn After Taylor Swift Targeted by AI
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Generative AI may have just picked on the wrong celebrity, as millions of fans are furiously attacking porn sites that have posted deep fakes of the Taylor Swift. The actors union SAG-AFTRA is also coming after generative AI deep fakes, once more calling for the US government to ban them, saying the images are “upsetting, harmful and … [Read more...] about SAG-AFTRA Calling for Ban on Deep Fake Porn After Taylor Swift Targeted by AI