In late 2015, an unexpected name popped up in the liquor industry press: Bob Dylan. A trademark application for the term “bootleg whiskey” had been filed under Mr. Dylan’s name. Among those who noticed the news was Marc Bushala, 52, a lifelong fan and a liquor entrepreneur whose bourbon brand, Angel’s Envy, had just been sold for $150 million. Mr. Bushala said he immediately spent weeks “obsessing over this concept of what a Dylan whiskey could be.”
Read MoreThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently upheld the district court's decision finding Robin Thicke’s and Pharrell Williams’ chart-topping 2013 hit "Blurred Lines" infringed the copyright on Marvin Gaye's song "Got To Give It Up." The Ninth Circuit also upheld the district court’s award of more than $3 million in actual damages, $5 million in infringer’s profits and a continuing royalty of 50% of future songwriter and publishing revenues generated from the song.
Read MoreWhen trademark licensors grant a licensee exclusive rights to manufacture and sell licensed products, they often reserve the right to engage in negotiations with one or more potential replacement licensees during a certain period of time before the conclusion of the exclusive license agreement.
Read MoreMarch 22, 2018 | Are we about to say farewell to Geoffrey the Giraffe, the Toys R Us mascot? Are we never again to be serenaded by the jingle “I’m a Toys R Us kid”? Or is this just adieu (until we meet again)? Toys R Us filed for liquidation on March 15, 2018, seeking to shutter its 735 stores and sell off its inventory.
Read MoreMarch 5, 2018 | When a brand takes a position on an important issue, that position becomes associated with not just the core product or service of the licensor, but the licensed products as well. We need to understand how and why brands often feel compelled to take a stand. That brings me to The Power of Licensing #3.
Read MoreFeb. 22, 2018 | Licensing relies on the strength and integrity of brands and how brands communicate their message to consumers and other stakeholders. Indeed, licensing is one of the marketing tools that brands can utilize. It is essential for those of us in the licensing community to understand the equities of brands and how brands can strengthen those equities but also how brands can damage those equities.
Read MoreLONDON, UK, FEBRUARY 20, 2018 – Global confectionery manufacturer, Perfetti Van Melle, has partnered with leading European food group, Vandemoortele, to create a range of doughnuts under the iconic international lollipop brand, Chupa Chups®.
Read MoreFeb.9, 2018 | This is my first post on BeanTalk, under the heading “The Power of Licensing.” I’ll write about things happening in the licensing industry, the marketing/communications industry, business in general, and our culture that are or will have an impact on licensing.
Read MoreLondon, 7 February 2018 – Boost, a new dedicated pay-as-you-go (PAYG) energy supplier, has launched a major new advertising campaign that pays homage to global icon Bruce Lee.
Read MoreOctober 19, 2017 | By Oliver Herzfeld | An old quip that is widely misattributed to the famous movie producer Samuel Goldwyn states “a verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on.” The truth is, with only a few exceptions, oral agreements are legal, valid and binding. However, oral agreements present other difficulties and challenges apart from enforceability. A lawsuit recently commenced by the Estate of Thelonious Monk against North Coast Brewing Co. provides an excellent opportunity to explore some of the issues raised by oral agreements.
Read MoreSeptember 29, 2017 | The legal saga between Snyder’s-Lance, the maker of Pretzel Crisps, and PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay, maker of Rold Gold’s Pretzel Thins, may already have seven years under its belt, but it’s seems to be only beginning. While the final chapter is yet to be written, the ongoing court proceedings are already serving as a cautionary tale to emerging food and beverage brands.
Read MoreSHANGHAI (AP) — It is no secret that the bulk of Ivanka Trump’s merchandise comes from China. But just which Chinese companies manufacture and export her handbags, shoes and clothes is more secret than ever, an Associated Press investigation has found.
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