The Licensing Letter

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Hasbro Inc Acquires the Digital RPG Toolset and Game Companion, D&D Beyond

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Hasbro, Inc. has announced the completion of its licensing acquisition of D&D Beyond from Fandom, Inc. D&D Beyond is the massively popular digital RPG toolset and game companion to the iconic fantasy franchise, Dungeons & Dragons. It features online versions of the official Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition books, as … [Read more...] about Hasbro Inc Acquires the Digital RPG Toolset and Game Companion, D&D Beyond

Licensing Law Shocker: Hawley Targets Disney With Bill To Limit Copyright Protection

If Passed, Law Would Impact All Licensors, Limiting Copyrights to 56 Years By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Senator Josh Hawley is introducing legislation targeting Disney that would have a devastating impact on the US licensing industry. The move comes as Hawley and other GOP leaders retaliate against The Walt Disney Company for its stated opposition to the so-called "Don't … [Read more...] about Licensing Law Shocker: Hawley Targets Disney With Bill To Limit Copyright Protection

Netflix Woes Just Beginning As It Loses Key Show Licenses

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Netflix faces an existential threat as it will soon lose the licenses for many of its most-viewed shows to rival streaming services. The streaming pioneer is rightly lauded for leading the way for the entire industry, with a business model that dismantled Blockbuster and posed the upstart streamer as a bona fide threat to traditional … [Read more...] about Netflix Woes Just Beginning As It Loses Key Show Licenses

Virtual Brand Group First Metaverse Company Nominated for Licensing Awards

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Some history is being made at the Licensing Expo this year, as for the first time, a metaverse licensing company has been nominated for a Licensing International Award. Virtual Brand Group and Forever 21 have been nominated for Best Licensed Product in the category of Digital: Apps, Software, Video Games, NFTs for a licensing … [Read more...] about Virtual Brand Group First Metaverse Company Nominated for Licensing Awards

War In Ukraine Will Negatively Impact Licensing Industry in 2022/23

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief According to the IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook, the war in Ukraine will set back the global economic recovery, will create several months of high inflation, and may plunge much of the world into a recession. The war is also expected to further tangle up global logistics, and threatens to cause widespread hunger as food prices … [Read more...] about War In Ukraine Will Negatively Impact Licensing Industry in 2022/23

Sustainable Licensing: ZAG’s Miraculous Tackles Plastic Pollution in New Partnership

The superheroes from Miraculous are fighting the evils of plastic pollution in a partnership with The Breteau Foundation. The foundation says it is collaborating with the animation studios ZAG and ON Kids & Family to produce a special episode of the hit show Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir. Scheduled for release in the spring of 2023, the episode seeks to inspire … [Read more...] about Sustainable Licensing: ZAG’s Miraculous Tackles Plastic Pollution in New Partnership

Prices Soar As Collectors Clamor For Barbie’s Queen Elizabeth Doll

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Mattel's Barbie has released a collector's edition doll portraying Queen Elizabeth II for her Platinum Jubilee. And within hours of its release on Wednesday, the Barbie Signature Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Doll had completely sold out, while prices soared on eBay and Amazon and would-be customers fumed. On Mattel's online … [Read more...] about Prices Soar As Collectors Clamor For Barbie’s Queen Elizabeth Doll

Licensing Expo Putting on Big Show With Immersive Entertainment Offerings

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Licensing Expo is leaning into its experiential licensing theme this year, offering multiple immersive entertainment offerings. The Licensing Expo, produced in partnership with industry trade association Licensing International, returns to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center this May 24–26. This year, perhaps in reaction to the … [Read more...] about Licensing Expo Putting on Big Show With Immersive Entertainment Offerings

Acquisitions: Hasbro Brings D&D Beyond Into Its Corporate Dungeon

Purchase of D&D Beyond to Add Nearly 10 Million Players to Digital Tabletop Ecosystem—The Fastest-Growing Dungeons & Dragons Category Hasbro says it is acquiring D&D Beyond, the leading digital toolset and game companion for the company’s groundbreaking fantasy gaming franchise Dungeons & Dragons. D&D Beyond is currently owned by Fandom, the world’s … [Read more...] about Acquisitions: Hasbro Brings D&D Beyond Into Its Corporate Dungeon