By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Sometimes licensing deals just go bad, and it looks like that's the case for the partnership between YouTube star MrBeast and Virtual Dining Concepts. The partners went into business to create a virtual restaurant chain called MrBeast Burger, but both parties have now filed suit against the other. Currently the #1 individual YouTuber in … [Read more...] about MrBeast In Legal Battle With Restaurant Licensing Partner
Licensing Law
UPDATE: LEGO Issues Statement In “Leggo My LEGO” Dispute With Punk Rockers
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Toy giant LEGO says it will not allow commercial use of its iconic mini-figures for animated videos that are commercial in nature. The statement comes in the recent 'Leggo My LEGO' dispute, in which LEGO sent a cease and desist letter to the band LS Dunes, demanding they take down a recent music video. The reason? The band, whose members … [Read more...] about UPDATE: LEGO Issues Statement In “Leggo My LEGO” Dispute With Punk Rockers
Court Denies Injunction on Microsoft Acquisition of Activision
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief A court in California has denied the Federal Trade Commission's request for an injunction on Microsoft's acquisition of Activision. The software giant announced on Jan. 18 this year that the parties had agreed to the terms of a deal. It would see Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard for $95 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at … [Read more...] about Court Denies Injunction on Microsoft Acquisition of Activision
Sarah Silverman Suing ChatGPT Creator for Copyright Infringement
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief (Sarah Silverman photo by Gage Skidmore) Comedian Sarah Silverman says copyright infringement by artificial intelligence bots is no laughing matter, as she sues Open AI and Meta. Silverman is one of three people filing the lawsuits charging that AI bots were trained on their work without their permission, resulting in AI … [Read more...] about Sarah Silverman Suing ChatGPT Creator for Copyright Infringement
Licensing Law: Court Rules Against Andy Warhol in Landmark Copyright Case
Warhol v. Goldsmith Case Also Carries Major Implications for AI-Generated Works By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The US Supreme Court has ruled images of the musician Prince by Andy Warhol violated the copyright of photographer Lynn Goldsmith. The ruling has massive implications for both human artists and for those using artificial intelligence to generate images, videos … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Court Rules Against Andy Warhol in Landmark Copyright Case
News Alert: Disney Sues Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
Lawsuit Filed After DeSantis-Appointed Board Voids Theme Park Agreement The Walt Disney Company has filed suit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for violating its First Amendment rights to free speech. The lawsuit accuses the governor of conducting a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” as punishment for the company’s decision to speak out against Florida's … [Read more...] about News Alert: Disney Sues Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
Licensing Law: Mary Nhin’s Ninjas Under Attack by Florida Censors
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The author of Ninja Life Hacks, Mary Nhin, fears her books will be banned in Florida schools for being too inclusive. Nhin has built a growing publishing and licensing business through her series of Ninja Life Hacks books for children, which focus on social and emotional learning. But now, Nhin says her books are being challenged in … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Mary Nhin’s Ninjas Under Attack by Florida Censors
Licensing Law: Adidas Backs Away From Opposition to Black Lives Matter Trademark
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Adidas has withdrawn its legal opposition to a trademark application from the activist group Black Lives Matter. The footwear giant filed a request to the US Patent and Trademark Office to block the Black Lives Matter from trademarking a design that features three parallel lines. Adidas said in its filing on Monday that the logo … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Adidas Backs Away From Opposition to Black Lives Matter Trademark
Analysis: US Government Defines Copyright Protection for AI-Created Works
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The US Copyright Office says works created with the help of artificial intelligence may be copyrighted, in a policy with major implications for the licensing industry. From now on, all copyright applicants are legally required to disclose when their work includes AI-generated material. As well, any previously filed application that … [Read more...] about Analysis: US Government Defines Copyright Protection for AI-Created Works
Analysis: Puffin Walks a Legal Tightrope in Editing Roald Dahl
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The publisher Puffin will be editing books by Roald Dahl to make them more inclusive, but will also release a version that is unedited. The latter move came after a backlash by freedom of speech advocates who protested the idea of censoring Dahl's books to make them more inclusive. The works of beloved but occasionally … [Read more...] about Analysis: Puffin Walks a Legal Tightrope in Editing Roald Dahl