By Marcy Magiera As this story was being written and The Licensing Letter’s semi-annual chart of movies with licensing potential compiled, Star Wars: The Force Awakens was breaking advance ticket sales records two months ahead of its Dec. 18 opening. Online ticketing sites Fandango and MovieTickets.com reportedly crashed for some users under the heavy traffic when tickets went … [Read more...] about Star Wars Demonstrates Power of Franchises for Licensing, Theaters
Video Games and Software
Video Games in Court
This chart was first published Oct. 21, 2015 in conjunction with an in-depth analysis of the unlicensed use of trademark brands in video games. … [Read more...] about Video Games in Court
Unlicensed Use of Trademark Brands in Video Games
EA shows Bell Helicopters in its Battlefield 3 video game Activision depicts the "Delta Force" logo in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 In Sony's Gran Turismo 6, race cars pass under a bridge displaying the Virag® trademark Video games look and feel more realistic when they depict brands from real-life. But using a trademark brand without a license can also result in … [Read more...] about Unlicensed Use of Trademark Brands in Video Games
Full Licensee Roster to Back N.A. Launch of Japanese Anime Hit
BY MARCY MAGIERA Yo-Kai Watch, the hottest kids’ property in Japan over the past 18 months, will land in North America on Oct. 5, when cable’s Disney XD will begin showing the animated half-hour five days a week. The TV premiere marks the beginning of a licensing campaign that will see a legion of mischievous Yo-kai spirits unleashed across video games, comic books, toys, … [Read more...] about Full Licensee Roster to Back N.A. Launch of Japanese Anime Hit
Licensed Products Figure Prominently in Season’s First ‘Hot Toys’ List
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Yesterday, 105 days before Christmas, Toys 'R' Us unveiled its Holiday Hot Toy List for 2015. As you'd expect, licensed brands from Disney, especially Star Wars, figured prominently, capturing four of the coveted "Fabulous 15" spots. At least six of the Fab 15 were licensed, including (in the order listed by TRU): Doc McStuffins Take Care of Me … [Read more...] about Licensed Products Figure Prominently in Season’s First ‘Hot Toys’ List
EA Brings Bruce Lee Back to Life for UFC Mobile Game
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. With apologies to the great Ronda Rousey, the biggest star in the EA Sports UFC Mobile game roster may just be a fighter who never even set foot in a UFC octagon—or anywhere else in the last 32 years for that matter. A game feature lets users play as Bruce Lee in four weight divisions. EA is also running a promotion through September 3 allowing users to … [Read more...] about EA Brings Bruce Lee Back to Life for UFC Mobile Game
Japanese Phenomenon Poised to Enter U.S. Market
By Marcy Magiera Yo-kai Watch is arguably the hottest kids' property in Japan. Now the franchise, about a young boy who uses a special watch to summon spirits who are causing pesky problems for people, is about to hit the U.S. In November, Nintendo will launch a Yo-kai Watch game for its handheld 3DS, about the same time that Viz Media's Perfect Square imprint will introduce … [Read more...] about Japanese Phenomenon Poised to Enter U.S. Market
DraftKings Plays Ball With MLB Clubs
DraftKings, the official daily fantasy sports partner of MLB, cut a separate deal with 27 of the League’s 30 clubs that will allow users to get exclusive content on the DraftKings iPhone app and integration with MLB’s own At Bat app. The Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays are the only clubs that aren’t participating because their states/province treat … [Read more...] about DraftKings Plays Ball With MLB Clubs
Digital Deals
By Glenn Demby You Gotta Have Hart: Hannah Hart is the latest YouTube star to cash in on her digital celebrity by inking a multi-year deal with women's multichannel network Kin Community for brand integrations, media opportunities and new programming production. Play Puck!: MLB Advanced Media will pay the NHL $600 million over 6 years for the right to broadcast and stream … [Read more...] about Digital Deals
Peanuts Video Game
Photo: 20th Century Fox & Peanuts Worldwide Peanuts Worldwide has licensed Activision Publishing for an original video game tied in to The Peanuts Movie slated for theaters this fall. The Peanuts Movie: Snoopy’s Great Adventure, a side-scrolling exploration platformer game starring Peanuts characters, will launch Nov. 6 for PlayStation4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo … [Read more...] about Peanuts Video Game