By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief As many have predicted, the licensing industry and in particular companies involved with collectibles like comics and trading cards, have dived headfirst into the world of Non-Fungible Tokens, or NFTs. Some of the examples include DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Funko, and the collectible giant Topps Company, which has been into NFTs for close … [Read more...] about Brands Taking A Deep Dive Into NFT Market
Content Licensing
Sanrio Partners With Nintendo on Animal Crossing
Items, clothing and new characters inspired by Sanrio brands are coming to the Nintendo hit video game Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. Sanrio owns several popular character brands, the most famous being Hello Kitty (pictured), which have been licensed in everything from apparel, to gifts, to home products. Now Sanrio's suite of adorable … [Read more...] about Sanrio Partners With Nintendo on Animal Crossing
Paul Simon Latest To Sell Music Catalog
Legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon has become the latest star musician to cash in on his lifetime body of work, selling his entire music catalog to Sony Music Publishing for an undisclosed amount. “I’m pleased to have Sony Music Publishing be the custodian of my songs for the coming decades," said Simon after the deal was announced. "I began my career at Columbia/Sony … [Read more...] about Paul Simon Latest To Sell Music Catalog
Songwriters Demand Musicians Stop Taking Credit For Their Work
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief A group of the world's top songwriters are launching a rebellion of sorts against "a growing number of (recording) artists" who they say are taking credit—and royalties—for songs they had no hand in writing. Called The Pact, the group includes writers who have penned massive hits for Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, One … [Read more...] about Songwriters Demand Musicians Stop Taking Credit For Their Work
Topps Releases the Monster of All NFTs
Collectibles Leader Topps Digital Issuing Godzilla NFT Collectibles on March 31 If you've been reading a lot about NFTs and were wondering when it would hit the world of licensing ... it already has, as collectibles firm Topps Digital continues to introduce exciting new products on the WAX Blockchain. Tomorrow, on March 31, Topps will conintue to build on its reputation as … [Read more...] about Topps Releases the Monster of All NFTs
Video Game In Development For John Carter: Warlord of Mars
The classic sci-fi adventure series John Carter: Warlord of Mars is coming to a video game console near you, as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc,. announced its team is working with FNCPR to develop and publish a first person action game, starring the "world's oldest interplanetary warrior." Over 27 years FNCPR has worked on some of the biggest games in the industry, including … [Read more...] about Video Game In Development For John Carter: Warlord of Mars
Forbidden Planet Releasing New Merch Based on Classic Paramount Films
Forbidden Planet, a pop culture product developer, has partnered with ViacomCBS to release new merchandise featuring several of Paramount Pictures classic films, including Forrest Gump, Top Gun, and the hilarious cult classic Galaxy Quest. In total seven Paramount films are included in the new range of apparel and giftware that will be released through Forbidden Planet's … [Read more...] about Forbidden Planet Releasing New Merch Based on Classic Paramount Films
Nic Cage Film Willy’s Wonderland Appoints Radar Licensing
The film Willy's Wonderland has appointed Radar Licensing of Brooklyn as its global licensing agent as Landmark Studio Group develops a worldwide consumer products retail program for the horror thriller, starring Nicolas Cage with Emily Tosta, Ric Reitz, Chris Warner, and Beth Grant. Landmark says Radar Licensing will create a comprehensive licensing and merchandising program … [Read more...] about Nic Cage Film Willy’s Wonderland Appoints Radar Licensing
SpongeBob’s Patrick Star Gets His Own Show
The wildly popular show Spongebob Squarepants, a bonanza for licensees since its debut in 1999, is getting a spinoff after more than 20 years on air. Nickelodeon has revealed the the long-awaited SpongeBob spinoff will be called The Patrick Star Show, and is centered on the popular sidekick Patrick. The show will bow with an initial 13 episodes this summer. Patrick, SpongeBob's … [Read more...] about SpongeBob’s Patrick Star Gets His Own Show
Spotify Removes K-Pop Songs in Licensing Debacle
If you're a big K-pop fan with a Spotify account, you're probably not too happy today. Thanks to a breakdown in licensing talks, songs from some of the world's biggest K-pop stars have vanished from Spotify's music library after talks between the streamer and Korean distributor Kakao M hit a brick wall. Some of the acts affected include many of Korea's most popular acts, … [Read more...] about Spotify Removes K-Pop Songs in Licensing Debacle