By Karina Masolova The Kardashian sisters got a pretrial court order barring Haven Beauty from using their names and trademarks—effectively opening the door for new licensees to step in, since the Kardashians want to ultimately terminate their licensing agreement. The Aug. 23 ruling, from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (2Die4Kourt v. Hillair … [Read more...] about What Not to Do: Kardashians Score a Win in Fight Against Licensee
Contracts
Pitfalls & Protections in Licensing Agreements
Before signing any licensing agreement, a licensee has to ensure they are completely covered. Here are the basic steps every manufacturer should take before putting pen to paper. In reviewing licensing agreements you must know what your critical business requirements are and whether the agreement that you are reviewing grants them to you or not. This is one of those difficult … [Read more...] about Pitfalls & Protections in Licensing Agreements
Tennis Star Andy Murray Dons Adidas after Signing with Under Armour
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Andy Murray easily won his first round U.S. Open match the other night. But if the result was predictable, the footwear was anything but. Murray wore Adidas—this after signing a shoe deal with Under Armour in December. Shades of Raymond Weil brand ambassador Charlize Theron in a Christian Dior watch? Or Jessica Simpson's dissing her own "JS" brand … [Read more...] about Tennis Star Andy Murray Dons Adidas after Signing with Under Armour
Patrick Kane & the Need for “Morals Clauses” in Celebrity Licenses
By Glenn Demby In June, EA Sports tabbed Chicago Blackhawk Patrick Kane for the cover of its upcoming (Sept. 15) ES Sports NHL 16 game. It seemed the perfect choice. Kane, a 3-time Stanley Cup winner, is handsome, charismatic and, somewhat rare for a hockey star, American. But Kane is now under police investigation for alleged rape in his hometown of Hamburg, NY. So, EA has … [Read more...] about Patrick Kane & the Need for “Morals Clauses” in Celebrity Licenses
Legal Trap to Avoid: Control Licensee Quality or Risk Losing Your Trademark
A winery’s only quality control is the occasional sip and knowing that the licensee’s winemaker has a “world class reputation” (Barcamerica Int’l USA Trust v. Tyfield Importers, (2002)); A bridal franchise collects no royalties and exerts no control over how licensees run their shops (Eva’s Bridal Ltd. v. Halanick Enterprises Inc., (2011)); An internet network trusts its … [Read more...] about Legal Trap to Avoid: Control Licensee Quality or Risk Losing Your Trademark