The Licensing Letter

Art

MoMA and Medicom Partner on Salvador Dali BE@RBRICK Figure Set

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The MoMA Design Store and MEDICOM TOY have partnered on a licensed BE@RBRICK figure set featuring Salvador Dalí's artwork, The Persistence of Memory. MEDICOM TOY is a Japanese company that specializes in manufacturing toys and collectibles. The company's BE@RBRICK collectible figure brand was initially launched in 2001 to celebrate the … [Read more...] about MoMA and Medicom Partner on Salvador Dali BE@RBRICK Figure Set

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

Who’s News: Kidrobot Creator, Legendary Artist Frank Kozik Passes Away at 61

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Sad news for musicians, art fans and the licensing industry as legendary artist and Kidrobot creative force Frank Kozik passed away unexpectedly on May 6. The announcement came from a saddened Joel Weinshanker, the CEO of Ad Populum, which owns the pop art firm Kidrobot. “Words escape how we felt about Frank," Weinshanker said. … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Kidrobot Creator, Legendary Artist Frank Kozik Passes Away at 61

Art Licensing: Moxie Secures Partnership With Romare Bearden Foundation

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Moxie and Co has secured a global partnership with the Romare Bearden Foundation to represent its artwork, prints and commercial designs. The Romare Bearden Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established in 1990 by the estate of Romare Bearden to preserve and expand upon the late artist's legacy. Bearden was an … [Read more...] about Art Licensing: Moxie Secures Partnership With Romare Bearden Foundation

Pretty as a Picture: TSBA Signs New Licensees for National Portrait Gallery

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The TSBA Group has signed new licensees for The National Portrait Gallery ahead of its re-opening on June 22, 2023. The TSBA Group (aka The Sports and Brands Agency) is responsible for signing global retail and brand partnerships for The National Portrait Gallery. The new licensees for the gallery include The Tea Makers of London and … [Read more...] about Pretty as a Picture: TSBA Signs New Licensees for National Portrait Gallery

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

Trends International Makes Key Acquisition in Art Licensing

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The licensed product manufacturer Trends International has acquired the ecommerce platforms Art.com and Allposters.com. Founded in 1998, Art and its sister website Allposters are direct-to-consumer, online retail platforms that specialize in art and décor products. Art’s content library contains over two million images that can be … [Read more...] about Trends International Makes Key Acquisition in Art Licensing

Update: Hermès Wins Landmark Lawsuit Over ‘MetaBirkin’ NFTs

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The luxury brand Hermès has won a landmark case that will help determine the future of NFT artworks in the United States. A nine-person jury emerged from several days of consideration to name Hermès the victor in a copyright infringement trial. NFT artist Mason Rothschild was also ordered to pay $133,000 in damages to Hermès, … [Read more...] about Update: Hermès Wins Landmark Lawsuit Over ‘MetaBirkin’ NFTs

The London Studio Sashays Into Licensing With Flame Tree Publishing For Art of Drag

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The London Studio has partnered with Flame Tree Publishing for a licensed product collection featuring the Art of Drag. The licensing deal between the two companies was managed by KJG Ltd on behalf of The London Studio, alongside BlueSkye Licensing. "I was over the moon when Flame Tree loved the Art of Drag designs I showed them," … [Read more...] about The London Studio Sashays Into Licensing With Flame Tree Publishing For Art of Drag

Why You Need to Watch the Getty Images Lawsuit Against Stability AI

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief In a world first, Getty Images is suing AI art generator Stability AI for copyright infringement, alleging it processed millions of its images. Stability AI is the company that created the popular art generation tool Stability Diffusion, which has already created millions of images for its users. However, like other similar programs, … [Read more...] about Why You Need to Watch the Getty Images Lawsuit Against Stability AI