The Licensing Letter

TikTok

YouTube Clones TikTok For March Launch

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then TikTok must be positively blushing right now. The spectacular rise of TikTok as a social media and entertainment phenomenon has inspired Alphabet-owned streamer YouTube to face off directly with the upstart by launching its own version, called Shorts. Shorts is due to arrive in the United States in March, after a successful … [Read more...] about YouTube Clones TikTok For March Launch

TikTok Enters The Octagon With UFC Partnership

TikTok isn't just a social media site; it's more of an entertainment conglomerate with a singular talent for licensing deals ... and the Chinese-owned company is proving it again with a multiyear deal announced with UFC, the world's premier Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organization. UFC announced the deal last week as a way to increase its exposure across the TikTok multiverse, and … [Read more...] about TikTok Enters The Octagon With UFC Partnership

TikTok And Universal Expand Their Musical Alliance

Universal Music Group (UMG) has entered into a landmark agreement with TikTok that will continue its transformation of the way music is marketed and sold. As earlier reported in The Licensing Letter, TikTok has entered into a number of music licensing agreements with publishers that allow its users to combine popular song tracks with their short videos on the social media … [Read more...] about TikTok And Universal Expand Their Musical Alliance

Deadline Passes for TikTok Forced Sale With No Deal in Sight

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief TikTok owner ByteDance has blown by the deadline set by US President Donald Trump to sell the company to a US buyer, but US officials say they are not enforcing the executive order. US officials also say they will not extend the Dec. 4 deadline for TikTok's parent company to sell off the rapidly growing social media app, but CNN and … [Read more...] about Deadline Passes for TikTok Forced Sale With No Deal in Sight

TikTok Inks Critical Licensing Deal with Sony Music

Another day, another TikTok licensing deal to report, but in this case, the agreement is critical to the way TikTok operates.  TikTok announced this week it has reached a new agreement with Sony Music Entertainment that allows its millions of users to use songs from SME’s vast roster of global music superstars, as well as its many emerging artists.  "We are thrilled to enter … [Read more...] about TikTok Inks Critical Licensing Deal with Sony Music

TikTok Makes Monetization Move with Partner Shopify

The hugely popular and - in the US at least - politically controversial social media platform TikTok pulled off a huge move this week in its quest to monetize the rapidly growing brand.  TikTok’s short, user-generated videos have been the single most popular social media innovation of the past two years, with millions of users and viewers signing on in just months.  Less … [Read more...] about TikTok Makes Monetization Move with Partner Shopify

Digital Deets: Retail, Social & Gaming Updates

Gen Z is shopping more frequently and spending more on fashion than Millennials are, according to a study from LIM College. Although the two generations tend to align in overall values, Gen Zers tend to appreciate the material things in life, including shopping at malls and physical stores. It's not only Gen Z—this last holiday season, everyone appreciated the convenience of … [Read more...] about Digital Deets: Retail, Social & Gaming Updates