By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Former US President Donald Trump faces more legal troubles, as the Software Freedom Conservancy (SFC) says Trump's new social media network violates a free and open-source software licensing agreement by ripping off the decentralized social network Mastodon. The recently formed Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG) now has 30 days to … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Trump Social Media Site Faces Potential Legal Action
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Content Licensing: Facebook Agrees to Pay News Media For Content in France
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The news media has notched another key victory in its global battle for licensing payments from tech companies, as Facebook has agreed to pay fees for news items that are placed on its social media platform. The latest battle was fought in France, where the country hailed a victory in its fight for payments from tech companies for news content … [Read more...] about Content Licensing: Facebook Agrees to Pay News Media For Content in France
Entertainment Licensing: Disney Delays Release of Film Blockbusters
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief More bad news for licensees that depend on the release of big, blockbuster movies from Disney, and particularly from its Marvel studio. Disney says it has delayed its release dates for several upcoming films, including five Marvel titles and the fifth installment of the classic Indiana Jones franchise. Additionally, several Marvel films that … [Read more...] about Entertainment Licensing: Disney Delays Release of Film Blockbusters
Sustainability In Licensing: Mattel Exceeds Sustainability Goals For Packaging
Mattel continues to make huge strides toward a sustainable business model, saying the company exceeded its 2020 goal to achieve and maintain 95% recycled or FSC-certified content in the paper and wood fiber used in its products and packaging. The play and entertainment company says it managed to source 97% of its content for products and packaging from recycled materials or … [Read more...] about Sustainability In Licensing: Mattel Exceeds Sustainability Goals For Packaging
Streaming Wars: Netflix Fires Back At Amazon With Walmart Merchandise Deal
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The world's leading streamer Netflix has signed a key deal with retail giant Walmart to market merchandise based on popular shows on its service. Experts in the licensing industry believe the move is partly a long-planned expansion of Netflix's already announced Consumer Products strategy, but also a response to moves made by competitor Amazon … [Read more...] about Streaming Wars: Netflix Fires Back At Amazon With Walmart Merchandise Deal
Breaking News: Visionary Hasbro CEO Passes Away After Lengthy Battle With Cancer
Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Hasbro Inc. announced some sad news today, revealing the company's longtime Chair and CEO Brian D. Goldner has passed away after a years-long battle with cancer. Just one day earlier, Goldner himself announced that he was taking a medical leave of absence from Hasbro, but that news was followed up today as Hasbro announced its widely … [Read more...] about Breaking News: Visionary Hasbro CEO Passes Away After Lengthy Battle With Cancer
BMG Pays A Royal Sum For Rights To The Queen Of Rock’n’Roll
Music giant BMG says it has acquired "an extensive portfolio of rights in the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, one of the greatest and best-loved artists in popular music history, Tina Turner." While details of the deal were not released, industry insiders say the agreement is believed to be worth in the range of $60 million. Working hand-in-hand with Tina Turner, BMG says it will … [Read more...] about BMG Pays A Royal Sum For Rights To The Queen Of Rock’n’Roll
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
Canadian Experiment Furthers McDonald’s Sustainability Goals
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief McDonald's is continuing its drive toward environmental sustainability with a new program in Canada that will see two Green Concept Restaurants unveiled in London, Ontario, and Vancouver, British Columbia. The move follows a major initiative reported on by The Licensing Letter on Sept. 22 (see link below) that saw McDonald's announce a … [Read more...] about Canadian Experiment Furthers McDonald’s Sustainability Goals
COVID Continues To Impact Licensing Trends This Fall
By Alicia Rosa Fall is here with school in full swing and some people returning to physical offices. According to a new survey from MassMutual, Americans are projected to have spent an extra $700 this summer. That being said, many consumers are keeping a close eye on the spread of the Delta variant and reverting to old shopping and buying behaviors, such as relying heavily on … [Read more...] about COVID Continues To Impact Licensing Trends This Fall