By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Rapper and entrepreneur Kanye West has abruptly ended his relationship with Gap Inc., accusing the company of failing to meet its obligations. West's lawyers sent a letter to Gap on Thursday notifying it of a termination of the partnership. West alleges Gap breached its agreement with West (also known as Ye) by not selling the Yeezy … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Kanye West Ends Partnership With Gap
Premium Members
Special Report: What the Taiwan Crisis Means For Licensing
Licensing Faces an Existential Threat As Tensions Grow Between China and the West By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Main Takeaways COVID-19 pandemic and Russian Invasion of Ukraine have revealed fragility of global trade arrangements China’s aggression toward Taiwan—a US ally—is creating insecurity for companies relying on Chinese manufacturing Licensing … [Read more...] about Special Report: What the Taiwan Crisis Means For Licensing
Macy’s Expands Store-In-Store Partnership With Toys ‘R’ Us
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Retail giant Macy's says it will expand its partnership with Toys ‘R’ Us to include all of the 500+ stores in the United States. The company previously announced the program would be rolled out into an initial 400 stores. The expansion is scheduled for completion by Oct. 15, in time for the holiday season. The deal is also a major success for … [Read more...] about Macy’s Expands Store-In-Store Partnership With Toys ‘R’ Us
We Want to Hear From You For TLL’s Annual Licensing Royalty Survey
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The Licensing Letter's annual survey on licensing royalties is now available, and we want to hear from you! Since 1978, The Licensing Letter has been providing the inside scoop to licensing professionals on everything from marketing budgets and guaranteed minimums to royalties paid in a wide range of product categories. TLL is currently … [Read more...] about We Want to Hear From You For TLL’s Annual Licensing Royalty Survey
Licensing Law: Roblox Sues WowWee For Allegedly Selling Toys Based On Its IP
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The metaverse platform Roblox is suing the Hong Kong toy company WowWee for a line of toys it says were inspired by Roblox avatars. The suit is aimed at a new line of dolls called My Avastars (seen in above photo), scheduled for release in October through major retailers like Walmart, Target and Macy's. The case is among the first examples of … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Roblox Sues WowWee For Allegedly Selling Toys Based On Its IP
Feature Report: Is There a Future for NFTs After Market Meltdown?
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief If you want to know how investors feel about NFTs right now, just follow the sound of the screaming. That should lead you to the hilariously apt Bear Market Screaming Therapy Group on Twitter and the communication app Telegram, where holders of Goblintown Ethereum NFTs (as= in the photo above) have gathered to post groans, howls, sobbing, … [Read more...] about Feature Report: Is There a Future for NFTs After Market Meltdown?
Licensing Law: Gibson Wins Landmark Trademark Ruling For Iconic Guitar Designs
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Legendary guitar-maker Gibson has won a huge victory in a trademark case, aptly decided by a jury in Nashville, aka Music City. As a result, the court has ordered an injunction permanently prohibiting Armadillo (aka Dean Guitars) from using Gibson's classic designs and marks, including the ES, SG, the Flying V, Explorer Trademarks, and … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Gibson Wins Landmark Trademark Ruling For Iconic Guitar Designs
Licensing Bonanza: Marvel Unveils Entire Slate of MCU Films and Series
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Marvel Studios just blew the roof off the San Diego Convention Centre, where the future of the MCU Universe was unveiled to screaming fans. But it's not just fans who are celebrating; licensees of the world's most popular film and TV franchise must be popping champagne corks right about now. Toymakers Hasbro and Funko lost no time in … [Read more...] about Licensing Bonanza: Marvel Unveils Entire Slate of MCU Films and Series
Grim News For Licensing: EIU Predicts $1 Trillion Drop in Global GDP
EIU predicts greater drop in global GDP Consumer confidence plummets IMF predicts gas embargo by Russia could further impact EU economy Licensed consumer sales predicted to drop in late 2022 and throughout 2023 By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief More gloomy news for the licensing industry as the Economist Intelligence Unit predicts the War in Ukraine will shave $1 trillion … [Read more...] about Grim News For Licensing: EIU Predicts $1 Trillion Drop in Global GDP
TLL Special Report: War, Pandemic and Famine Threaten Licensing Recovery
A Special Report For TLL Prime Subscribers This is an excerpt from TLL's annual Licensing Sales Report, which draws from our industry survey and a variety of other data sources to create the most complete picture of sales performance in the licensing industry. The full 2022 Licensing Sales Report is due for release next week, but the Summary Report can be accessed by TLL … [Read more...] about TLL Special Report: War, Pandemic and Famine Threaten Licensing Recovery