Discussions around name, image and likeness (NIL) rights have largely revolved around the rights of college athletes to profit from the use of their NIL. As the profitability of these NIL deals continues to climb, advertisers...more
In the realm of sports merchandising, licensing is a significant revenue source for college and professional sports teams. Typically, sports teams do not directly produce sports merchandise; instead, they engage in exclusive...more
Collegiate merchandise licensing is a thriving and lucrative business generated by the immense popularity and widespread support for college sports teams and institutions. Universities and colleges have devoted fan bases...more
In today's extremely rich material environment, many consumers choose goods not only based on simple cost performance to decide, but are willing to pay for creativity and brand value recognition. Consumer choice trends...more
Integrated Marketing Promotions: How Do Brand Tie-Ins Work? I’m a Skipper in a Barbie world. Even if the brunette little sister doesn’t make an appearance, I can’t wait to see the Barbie movie this weekend. Warner Bros....more
The Pitch newsletter is a monthly update of legal issues and news affecting or related to the music, film and television, fine arts, media, professional athletics, eSports, and gaming industries. The Pitch features a diverse...more
To end the harm following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, numerous forms of sanctions were imposed against the Russian government and economy. Many Western governments limited access to financial systems,...more
Rights holders are almost always looking for ways to monetize the intellectual property (IP) that they own or license. For owners of rights in popular logos; characters from TV shows, movies, or video games; or similar IP,...more
We previously wrote about a series of trademark lawsuits filed by NBA MVP and now NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo over the use of his nickname “Greek Freak”. Those lawsuits all contained similar allegations: that the...more
In 1994, Firooz Zahedi was hired by Miramax to photograph the actress Uma Thurman as her character Mia Wallace in the film Pulp Fiction. Miramax paid Zahedi $10,000 for his work, used one of his photographs of Mia Wallace...more
The European Commission has reiterated its position that if a business allows for the non-exclusive licensing of its products in the EEA, such licensor can no longer control where, to whom, and in what manner...more
In 2018, the esports industry experienced remarkable growth. Poised to become the next multibillion-dollar industry, the esports industry has become a part of mainstream sports. For example, the League of Legends World...more
On December 28, 2018, Nirvana LLC filed a lawsuit against designer Marc Jacobs in the Central District of California, alleging copyright and trademark infringement. Nirvana LLC is the legal entity which controls the band...more
On 27 March, Partner Eugene Low and Associate Arthur Ng from our Hong Kong office gave a presentation on e-sports at a reception event organized by the Association of Corporate Counsel, Hong Kong. ...more
Kelly v. Cameron’s Coffee and Distribution Company, No. 1816-CV00470 (Mo. Cir. Ct. – Jackson Cnty.): Putative class action asserting violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant...more
Jay-Z does not want to be in the spotlight- at least not the spotlight of a New York federal judge. This past April, the hip-hop tycoon and Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s entertainment company, were sued by Iconix Brand Group, Inc....more
Court Denies Motion to Dismiss for Non-Functional Slack-Fill Class Action - White v. Just Born, Inc., No. 2:17-cv-4025 (W.D. Mo.): The Court issued an order denying Defendant’s motion to dismiss this putative...more
Influencer marketing saw explosive growth in 2016, with 86% of marketers having used the tactic, 94% of whom found it effective. In 2016, most marketers spent between $25,000 to $50,000 per influencer marketing program, which...more
The election of a Republican President, along with a Republican U.S. Congress, and the election of a Republican Missouri Governor, combined with a Republican state legislature, are all spurring potential changes on the...more
The Missouri Court of Appeals recently overturned a jury verdict under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA) against Nissan North America, Inc., arising out statements made by Nissan in the advertising and promotion...more
As a lifelong Boise State University fan, and gamer who pre-ordered the EA Sports NCAA Football 2008 game (with Jared Zabransky on the cover), I was probably more excited than your average legal beagle to read last week’s...more
English Premier League football clubs may start to look more attractive for investment following the League’s £5.14 billion live broadcasting deal with Sky and BT. The deal, for three years from the 2016-17 season, marks a...more
On March 17, 2015, a Ninth Circuit panel consisting of Chief Judge Sidley R. Thomas, Circuit Judge Jay S. Bybee and Senior U.S. District Judge Gordon J. Quist, of the Western District of Michigan heard oral argument in...more
When used effectively, brand and merchandise licensing can increase the value of a brand by extending it into new, relevant product categories and by further monetizing brand equity. And when seeking to protect a brand in...more
Leslie Klinger, noted Sherlock Holmes scholar and lawyer, has waged a nearly all-out legal offensive against the Estate of Arthur Conan Doyle over the Estate’s assertion of a copyright in connection with certain works...more