The Licensing Letter

TLL

TRU’s Debt & Other Toy/Game News

By Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com In the face of a $400 million debt due in 2018, Toys 'R' Us has retained a law firm to help restructure its financial obligations. The toy retailer has not ruled out bankruptcy as part of its plan, and is also looking at obtaining additional financing. TRU is also continuing to work with financial advisory firm Lazard, which … [Read more...] about TRU’s Debt & Other Toy/Game News

Spotlight: K-Food in America

By Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com While Korean food (K-food) is just a small part of the speciality foods industry, it's the touchpoint for many questions about branding, such as: What does it take to market an entire industry? A country? American retail sales of specialty foods reached $99 billion in 2016, and make up 15% of all retail food sales, according … [Read more...] about Spotlight: K-Food in America

Deal Sheet — 9/6/2017

Quick Navigate Properties Available or Recently Assigned, U.S. Licenses Recently Granted, U.S. Intl. Properties Available or Recently Assigned Intl. Licenses Recently Granted Archived Deal Sheets   Properties Available or Recently Assigned, U.S. *Extension or renewal. Property (Description)Categories AvailableLicensing Contact Crispy GreenFreeze-dried fruit … [Read more...] about Deal Sheet — 9/6/2017

The Appeal Behind the Top $100+ Million Brands

The top $100 million entertainment/character brands aren't equal when it comes to consumer engagement, awareness, and appeal. According to E-Poll Market Research's E-Score character survey for adults aged 13–49, while most of the top-selling properties on our list have what we could consider "universal appeal" across all age groups, some don't. Using their data, we've compiled … [Read more...] about The Appeal Behind the Top $100+ Million Brands

Founders Beware: Retaining Ownership of IP

Departing the organization you helped found without an agreement as to ownership of intellectual property could mean leaving your property behind, according to a recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The Federal Circuit held in Lyons v. Am. College of Veterinary Sports Med. & Rehab. that an originator of a service mark may not own the mark … [Read more...] about Founders Beware: Retaining Ownership of IP

Who’s News

Lionsgate promotes Kerry Phelan to President Global Franchise Management. Phelan is tasked with managing upcoming projects including Lionsgate Movie World in Korea, the Lionsgate Entertainment World indoor theme park in China, and the Lionsgate Entertainment City centers set to bow in the U.S. and Europe. Warner Bros. Consumer Products U.K. & Ireland appoints Rachel Wakley … [Read more...] about Who’s News

Deal Sheet — 8/23/2017

Quick Navigate Properties Available or Recently Assigned, U.S. Licenses Recently Granted, U.S. Intl. Properties Available or Recently Assigned Intl. Licenses Recently Granted Archived Deal Sheets   Properties Available or Recently Assigned, U.S. *Extension or renewal. Property (Description)Categories AvailableLicensing Contact Snyder’s of HanoverNo. 1 pretzel … [Read more...] about Deal Sheet — 8/23/2017

Estate-based Sales Edge Up 1.0% to Reach $2.29 Billion

Retail sales of licensed merchandise based on estate properties reached $2.29 billion in 2016, up 1.0% from $2.27 in 2015 for the U.S./Canada, according to TLL's Annual Licensing Business Survey. Note that retail sales for the property type includes only deceased celebrities whose licensing strategies remain the same in death as in life. Deceased musicians, artists, and … [Read more...] about Estate-based Sales Edge Up 1.0% to Reach $2.29 Billion