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?
News & Trends
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
Who’s News: New Toyco Wyncor Announces Two Key Hires in Sales
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The new toy company Wyncor is adding to the company's bench strength, hiring two new sales executives this week. Wyncor announced the appointment of two top sales executives to join the company’s sales team. Ami Dieckman, a former executive at Entertainment One and Just Play, has been named Vice President of Sales for EMEA and APAC, while … [Read more...] about Who’s News: New Toyco Wyncor Announces Two Key Hires in Sales
Who’s News: Former Disney Exec Robin Gay Named as Brand Director for Bluey
BBC Studios has announced Robin Gay as the new Brand & Marketing Director for the global hit kids show Bluey. Reporting into Marketing Vice President of Kids & Family, Harriet Newby-Hill, this new role will see Robin leading the global brand and marketing strategy for Bluey, considered one of the top children's shows internationally. Robin’s new role will involve … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Former Disney Exec Robin Gay Named as Brand Director for Bluey
Who’s News: BBC Studios CEO Leaving To Pursue “New Challenge”
TLL Staff Ralph Lee, BBC Studios Productions’ CEO, will be leaving the BBC’s commercial arm in April after almost six years to pursue a new challenge outside the organization. BBC Studios is a division of BBC Studios, responsible for creating content both for the parent company and for third party clients around the world. The BBC says that, since being appointed Director of … [Read more...] about Who’s News: BBC Studios CEO Leaving To Pursue “New Challenge”
Who’s News: Paramount Global Names New VP of Consumer Products
TLL Staff Paramount Global has promoted Rebecca Jenkins to VP of Consumer Products, in charge of the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Israel. Jamie Drew, executive VP of Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences, says Jenkin has demonstrated a strong track record in landing highly successful, global partnerships in her five-year tenure at Paramount. “Rebecca is … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Paramount Global Names New VP of Consumer Products
Spielwarenmesse Celebrates Successful Toy Fair in Nuremberg
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Spielwarenmesse is celebrating as the Nuremberg toy fair saw a significant jump in attendees and exhibitors this year. The toy fair at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre is the largest in the world, and this year took on a greater significance as Toy Fair New York was cancelled, returning next year after a reimagining of the event. In … [Read more...] about Spielwarenmesse Celebrates Successful Toy Fair in Nuremberg
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