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
Licensing Law
Who’s News: Dr. Seuss Beefs Up Its Corporate Legal Team
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Dr. Seuss Enterprises has promoted Nicole Gates to Vice President, Legal, and hired Mike Lancaster as Corporate Counsel. “I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Nicole for over five years now, and I cannot overstate what an incredible asset she is to Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ executive team as well as to the company as a whole," said … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Dr. Seuss Beefs Up Its Corporate Legal Team
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
Must Read: Universal Music Calls Time Out on TikTok Agreement
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Universal Music Group just dropped a bomb on TikTok, saying it will back out of its music licensing agreement with the social media giant. The music publisher, one of the global 'Big Three' that dominates the industry, says it will remove all songs from TikTok, accusing the company of trying to bully them into taking a bad deal over … [Read more...] about Must Read: Universal Music Calls Time Out on TikTok Agreement
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
Uniqlo Sues Shein Over Alleged Imitation of Its Hit ‘Mary Poppins’ Bag
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Japanese fashion giant Uniqlo is suing rival Chinese online retailer Shein over allegations selling copies of the so-called 'Mary Poppins' bag. The distinctive crescent shaped purse—officially known as the 'round mini'—has been a huge seller for Uniqlo, particularly after it went viral on TikTok for how many items it can carry despite its … [Read more...] about Uniqlo Sues Shein Over Alleged Imitation of Its Hit ‘Mary Poppins’ Bag
Arc’teryx Wins Injunction Over Adidas’ Terrex Store in Vancouver
Judge Cites Store Location on Same Block as Aggravating Factor By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The Canadian outdoor company Arc'teryx just won a temporary injunction barring Adidas from using the name 'Terrex' on its flagship store in Vancouver. In what the judge in the case described as a "David vs. Goliath" battle over trademark infringement, the Supreme Court … [Read more...] about Arc’teryx Wins Injunction Over Adidas’ Terrex Store in Vancouver
Real Life ‘Joker’ Threatens Lawsuit For Use of His Likeness in GTA 6
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief A Florida man who tattooed his face to resemble the DC character The Joker says the Grand Theft Auto game used his likeness in a promotional trailer. Lawrence Sullivan is demanding millions in damages, claiming video game studio Rockstar Games used his likeness in a recent trailer for the latest instalment of the massively popular … [Read more...] about Real Life ‘Joker’ Threatens Lawsuit For Use of His Likeness in GTA 6