The Licensing Letter

Licensing Law

Game Over! China Suspends New Licenses For Video Games

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief China has upped the ante in its onslaught against video gaming, reportedly suspending the licensing of new video games. The move follows other recent policy changes in China, as the government has drastically limited the amount of time children can spend gaming, and app stores in the country have begun to deplatform unauthorized … [Read more...] about Game Over! China Suspends New Licenses For Video Games

Not So Fast: DOJ Sues To Block Acquisition of Simon & Schuster

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The US Dept. of Justice has filed suit to block the $2.2 billion acquisition of publishing giant Simon & Schuster by Bertelsmann, the parent company of its larger rival Penguin Random House. DOJ lawyers allege the takeover of the ViacomCBS subsidiary “would result in substantial harm to authors,” reducing competition, and creating a single … [Read more...] about Not So Fast: DOJ Sues To Block Acquisition of Simon & Schuster

Actor Zach Avery Pleads Guilty To $650 Million Licensing Fraud

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The Hollywood actor Zachary Horwitz—better known by his stage name Zach Avery—faces decades behind bars after admitting his role in a $650 million Ponzi scheme. Horwitz was charged in May this year on allegations he defrauded multiple high worth investors in what has been described by authorities as a phony licensing scheme. This week, as … [Read more...] about Actor Zach Avery Pleads Guilty To $650 Million Licensing Fraud

ESPN In Talks For $3 Billion Sports Betting Deal

The Disney-owned sports broadcaster ESPN is looking at licensing its brand to major sports betting companies, with a price tag of at least $3 billion. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, ESPN has already held talks with operators like the online gambling company DraftKings and casino operator Caesars Entertainment, among others. ESPN already has marketing … [Read more...] about ESPN In Talks For $3 Billion Sports Betting Deal

Legal Action Threatened Over Pic of Naked Man Chasing Pig

A German actor whose photograph of a naked man pursuing a wild boar went viral has said she might take legal action against a company that duplicated the scene for model railway enthusiasts. While hilarious, the incident raises questions about when and how companies can use images without copyright permission or a licensing agreement. Adele Landauer, an actor and charisma … [Read more...] about Legal Action Threatened Over Pic of Naked Man Chasing Pig

AC/DC Launches Beer, Sex Pistols In Licensing Battle

There's Anarchy in the UK, as The Sex Pistols' guitarist Steve Jones and drummer Paul Cook are suing former band frontman John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) over the use of their songs in the upcoming Danny Boyle biography series Pistol. The series, slated for streaming broadcast on Disney+, is based on Jones' 2016 memoir Lonely Boy, but Lydon says the book and the series paint him … [Read more...] about AC/DC Launches Beer, Sex Pistols In Licensing Battle

Not So Nice: Baron Cohen Sues Pot Shop

Actor and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has filed suit against a Massachusetts cannabis shop for using an image of his character Borat on a billboard (pictured here) without his permission. According to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Boston, Baron Cohen alleges the billboard for Somerset-based Solar Therapeutics Inc. showed him posing as Borat with two thumbs up and … [Read more...] about Not So Nice: Baron Cohen Sues Pot Shop

Universal Music Announces Licensing Truce With Triller

The months-long licensing dispute between Universal Music Group and the social video site Triller appears to be over, as UMG announced it has signed a worldwide agreement for its music catalog. Triller is a social media video app, similar to TikTok, in which users can combine video and licensed music to produce their own videos. Triller is different in the sense videos are … [Read more...] about Universal Music Announces Licensing Truce With Triller

India’s Tips Industries Licenses Music For YouTube

As the short video wars heat up between TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels, music labels are enjoying new value for licensing their IP. Now, India's Tips Industries has signed a lucrative deal with Google, allowing users of its YouTube Shorts service to use any music owned by the label. "As part of this deal, Tips will license its large catalogue to YouTube platform … [Read more...] about India’s Tips Industries Licenses Music For YouTube