The Licensing Letter

News & Trends

Trump Loses Copyright Battle Over Use of Song ‘Electric Avenue’

Case Could Help Other Artists Prevent Politicians From Using Their Music Without Permission By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Presidential candidate Donald Trump lost his legal battle with singer Eddy Grant over his campaign's use of the 1983 hit song Electric Avenue. The conflict dates back to the 2020 presidential campaign, which Trump lost to current US President Joe … [Read more...] about Trump Loses Copyright Battle Over Use of Song ‘Electric Avenue’

WildBrain CPLG Restructures Senior Leadership Team

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter WildBrain CPLG is restructuring its senior leadership team to focus the licensing agency's management expertise across key global territories, partnerships, finance and operations. The newly restructured senior leadership team includes four promotions and appointments across the company's international operations and licensing business. … [Read more...] about WildBrain CPLG Restructures Senior Leadership Team

Feature: The Company Teaching the World to Smile

CEO Nicolas Loufrani Explains the Smiley Company's Largest Ever Expansion Plan By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Sure, the world may be going through a tough time, between a series of catastrophic wars, a recent pandemic, and looming threats to democracy, but Nicolas Loufrani says there’s still a lot to smile about. In fact, the CEO of The Smiley Company argues there’s … [Read more...] about Feature: The Company Teaching the World to Smile

WiT Gearing Up For Wonder Women Award Gala Next Week

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) will host the 2024 Wonder Women Awards in Beverly Hills on September 13. WiT is the industry’s leading organization advocating for the advancement of women, and the Wonder Women Awards celebrates many of the most talented people in working in the fields of toys, entertainment, and … [Read more...] about WiT Gearing Up For Wonder Women Award Gala Next Week

Judge Orders Trump to Stop Using Isaac Hayes’ Song At His Rallies

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The estate of music legend Isaac Hayes won an initial victory in court, as an Atlanta judge ordered the Trump campaign to stop using the song Hold On, I'm Comin' at its events. The order came about as the result of an emergency injunction hearing in Atlanta federal court on Tuesday. The Hayes estate, headed by son Isaac Hayes III, asked the … [Read more...] about Judge Orders Trump to Stop Using Isaac Hayes’ Song At His Rallies

Who’s News: Falcon’s Creative Group Hires New VP of Design

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Falcon’s Creative Group has appointed Matthew M. Martin to the newly-created position of vice president of design.In his new position at the company, Martin will be responsible for leading a team of creative directors to design and develop immersive themed experiences for the company's portfolio of wholly-owned IPs and partner brands. “I’ve had … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Falcon’s Creative Group Hires New VP of Design

People of Play Names Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Mary Danby and Dan Romanelli have been honored by People of Play with Lifetime Achievement Awards, while Alan Dorfman was named as the Industry Game Changer. The awards are part of the annual TAGIEs (Toy and Game International Excellence Awards) ceremony, taking place on November 8 this year, with the theme 'Toys Through … [Read more...] about People of Play Names Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

LEGO Converting to Renewable Resin for Its Plastic Bricks

World's Largest Toymaker Says It Will Accept Higher Costs In Order to Replace One-Half of Its Oil-Based Plastics by 2026 By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Toymaker Lego has committed it will produce half the plastic in its bricks with renewable or recycled material, rather than fossil fuels, by 2026. The stunning news follows the failure in 2023 of Lego's attempt to make … [Read more...] about LEGO Converting to Renewable Resin for Its Plastic Bricks

Update: Bronfman Drops Paramount Bid, Leaving Path Clear for Skydance

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Media tycoon Edgar Bronfman Jr. has dropped his $6 billion bid to acquire Paramount Global, as Skydance Media prepares to close on its own offer. Bronfman had submitted a bid to acquire the global entertainment conglomerate with a consortium of investors. His submission came after Skydance had already come to a tentative agreement with the … [Read more...] about Update: Bronfman Drops Paramount Bid, Leaving Path Clear for Skydance