By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief With its economy under assault by Western sanctions, Russia has lashed out at Western companies and their brands. One of those attacks targeted the globally popular brand Peppa Pig, owned by Hasbro, which has essentially had its brand stolen by Moscow. The bizarre assault on global IP law saw a Russian court ruling that Peppa Pig's … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Russia Responds to Sanctions With Attack on … Peppa Pig?
Licensing Law
Licensing Law: Actor Gets 20 Years For Licensing Ponzi scheme
Zach Horwitz Sentenced For $230 Million Fraud Based On False Claims of Licensing Deals With Netflix and HBO Max By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief For most of his adult life, 35-year-old Zachary Horwitz (aka Zach Avery) was an actor in a number of low-budget horror flicks. But his big role came when he starred as the central character in an equally terrifying, $230 million … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Actor Gets 20 Years For Licensing Ponzi scheme
ChizComm Founders Out At Genius Brands Over Contract Dispute
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The founders of Chizcomm have exited Genius Brands over a contractual dispute and conflict over strategic vision. ChizComm was acquired in November of 2020 by Genius Brands, which has grown rapidly due to an aggressive acquisition strategy. At the time, all seemed like sweetness and light would prevail. This week, however, Chizcomm … [Read more...] about ChizComm Founders Out At Genius Brands Over Contract Dispute
Licensing Law: Andy Warhol Foundation Asks Supreme Court For Legal Review
The Andy Warhol Foundation is asking the Supreme Court to weigh in on a lawsuit over the artist's Prince Series, produced in 1984. The lawsuit was filed in 2017 by photographer Lynn Goldsmith, who claims Warhol’s Prince Series was largely based on photographs she took while on assignment for Newsweekmagazine. Those photos, like Warhol's paintings, depict the rock star Prince, … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Andy Warhol Foundation Asks Supreme Court For Legal Review
Licensing Law: MediaMuv Charged With Stealing $20 Million in Music Royalties From YouTube
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Officials in Arizona have charged two men on allegations they defrauded YouTube of $20 million by falsely claiming they owned rights to more than 50,000 songs. According to a statement from the US Attorney's Office charges have been laid against Jose Teran of Scottsdale, Az. and Webster Batista, 38, of Doral, Fla. The allegations include … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: MediaMuv Charged With Stealing $20 Million in Music Royalties From YouTube
Licensing Law: Peloton Sues Lululemon After Branding Breakup
Two giants of the fitness industry are facing off in court, soon after a five-year licensing and branding deal between Lululemon and Peloton ended in an amicable breakup. Peloton Interactive, the exercise bike company, has now sued Lululemon Athletica after the fitness fashion house threatened its own lawsuit over Peloton's new apparel line. Peloton filed its lawsuit in … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Peloton Sues Lululemon After Branding Breakup
Licensing Law: Trump Social Media Site Faces Potential Legal Action
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
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
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
You Make the Call: Is This Infringement?
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. The never-ending legal adventures of Deadmau5 and his famous trademark highlight key issues in copyright and trademark law as they relate to licensing. Question 1 Does this... ...infringe on this? The logo on the left, which belongs to one Joel Zimmerman, aka Deadmau5, bears a noticeable resemblance to the iconic logo below. So … [Read more...] about You Make the Call: Is This Infringement?