Licensing

Taylor Swift reclaims all her master recordings, the UK's AI bill hits another roadblock, and Bible College sues composer for defamation. The post 3 Count: Taylor’s Version appeared first on Plagiarism Today.

Bread & Butter wants to stay open until 11pm every day except Sunday, but locals fear children would be 'intimidated'

The Channel Island of Jersey has removed its ban on on-trade drinks promotions almost 40 years after the policy was implemented. The ban on happy hours, 2-for-1 drinks deals and bottomless brunches had been in place on Jersey since 1987. The policy was itself an amendment to the Licensing (Jersey) Law 1974. A recent public consultation regarding licensing laws on the island found that 89% felt they should be updated, 68% wanted the six categories of on-licence to be reduced to one, and 48% suggested that alcoholic drinks promotions and pricing should be left up to the license holding businesses themselves, not the government. The body which pushed Jersey's Attorney General for the ban to be dropped was the Jersey Hospitality Association. The association's co-CEO Marcus Calvani told regional news outlet Channel Eye: "When the guidance was put in place in 1987, there were concerns about excessive alcohol consumption in premises where prices had been significantly reduced. That was nearly 40 years ago and more recently, across the board rises in costs have meant pubs, bars and restaurants were being significantly undercut by off-licence traders, leading people to buy cheap alcohol in shops and drink significantly more than if they were out meeting friends." "The cost of products and operating won’t reduce, but we hope that the removal of this barrier to business will encourage more Islanders and visitors to go out, enjoy what our industry has to offer, socialise more often in licensed establishments and have some more affordable fun," added Calvani, who then urged businesses to use this new-found freedom "responsibly" for fear of the old rule being re-introduced.

Rockport parent Authentic Brands has chosen Chapters Brand Group to distribute the brand in men's and women's footwear across the UK and Ireland.

After yet another Nintendo-fuelled conversation on the school run this morning, it got me thinking about the intellectual property (IP) owned by this multi-national gaming company.

Reading Time:

Guest column: Music Ally publishes guest columns which voice the opinions of notable authors that advance specific perspectives on important issues. These are chosen at the Editorial team’s discretion and are not paid-for. You can explore the guest column archive here. This is a guest column by Benji Rogers, co-founder of AI attribution startup Sureel and […] The post is from Music Ally.

Mob Entertainment, the force behind indie video game Poppy Playtime, is powering up globally. The company has a new lineup of robust partnerships and licensing deals across various categories. The vast diversity of the brands Mob Entertainment works with will allow fans of all ages a piece of Poppy Playtime. Poppy Playtime is a global hit, and its licensing portfolio mirrors that. | Source: Mob’s Entertainment YouTube We're scaling our global consumer products division to meet the incredible and growing demand we're seeing from fans and retailers alike. Zach Belanger, CEO of Mob Entertainment Mob Entertainment has agreed to a three-year global licensing deal with McFarlane Toys, a powerhouse in the collectibles category. The company also signed a deal with Funko, with collectibles set to come out in fall 2026. “This collection will deliver a perfect mix of spine-chilling fun and fear, capturing the charm and horror of fans’ favorite characters in our signature style,” says Jason Bischoff, Vice President, Licensing and Business Development at Funko. Mob Entertainment characters, including fan favorites like Huggy Wuggy, Smiling Critters, Doey the Doughman, and Mommy Long Legs, continue to rise in popularity. The drive towards these new licensing opportunities is growing as well. New licensing agents include K Vision in South Korea, Merchantwise in the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Tycoon in Latin America, and Vertical Licensing in Brazil.  McFarlane Toys is known for its incredible attention to detail and craftsmanship, making them a great partner to bring Poppy Playtime to life in a brand-new way. We're excited for fans to experience and immerse themselves even further into the Poppy Playtime universe. Shelly Gayner, Global Head of Licensing of Mob Entertainment Mob Entertainment is growing and already has a list of prominent existing deals. Categories include toys and collectibles (Moose Toys, Jazwares, Phat Mojo, CultureFly, YouTooz, Pinfinity), books and publishing (Scholastic), apparel and lifestyle (Insert Coin), costumes and dress-up (Disguise and Spirit Halloween), food and beverage (G Fuel), film (Legendary Entertainment), and content integrations and brand extensions (Minecraft and Fortnite). For more information, visit mobentertainment.com. The company attends the Licensing Expo at booth No. N236-15. RELATED Nominations Open for 2025 TAGIE Awards Lifetime Achievement Honor The post Mob Entertainment’s Poppy Playtime Expands Its Licensing, Makes Deal with McFarlane Toys, Funko appeared first on The Toy Book.

The man who brought funk to the masses is getting ready to hit the road. With a new album, Album of the Year #1 Funkateer, and a West Coast tour, Bootsy Collins is bringing otherworldly funk to the stage. While fans wait to see the legendary music star in their hometown, they can have the stage at home, with three action figures from Super7. “Bootsy brings intergalactic funk and color,” says Ashley Anderson, Director of Integrated Marketing, Super7. The collectibles company released its black and red 3.75-inch ReAction figure in 2023. A second figure, of the musician in a black and gold suit, followed. Its psychedelic, glow-in-the-dark Wave 3 figure was released in January. “I think it locked in really good,” Collins says, “Back in the day, when we were actually trying to get things made, funk was like a bad word, and so we didn’t get too much mileage out of it that way.” Collins rose to prominence with James Brown before he joined Parliament-Funkadelic, establishing himself as the leading artist in funk. In 1976, he formed Bootsy’s Rubber Band. The packaging for both figures features his iconic star-shaped, studded sunglasses, which can be punched from the blistered cardback packaging. Both figures are accessorized by a star-shaped bass. “Things have fallen in place with Super7,” Collins says. “They came up out of the clear blue with this great action figure, and we loved it.” Having a glow-in-the-dark figure didn’t seem possible in the 1970s, he says. “The things that we couldn’t get done back in the day are happening. And that really makes you feel good.” Everybody deserves a chance to feel good about themselves, about what they're doing. If I could stand for anything, that would be it. I want people to know that they're worth more than they think. That's what I try to put out there in the ReAction Figures, in the music and art, and the way I dress. You have the right to be able to put your thoughts out there, because it's important. Bootsy Collins, funk legend Today, action figures complement the genre perfectly. “It’s kind of like the perfect condition for the funk, because if you ain’t got no funk then you sunk. So you got to have some fun,” he adds, noting that the ReAction figures give fans the opportunity to recreate his shows and media appearances. “I think it’s the bomb, and I think people are ready for it.” Collins is open to expanding his likeness to more figures or characters. “I think that would be a great follow-up,” he reflects, noting, “I thought they did an excellent job.” Action figures help younger generations less familiar with his work — or the funk genre — connect to the music. “Well, a lot of kids coming up now don’t know who in the heck what is a Bootsy,”  he says. “A lot of kids just like toys and people who are superheroes.” With the glow-in-the-dark figure, new album, and future plans, everything is aligned: “I think it’s a perfect time for Bootsy.” Super7's ReAction figure features Collins in a deep-V jumpsuit. He is accessorized with his iconic star-shaped bass. | Source: Super7 The collectibles company released a figure of the superstar in a black and gold suit. | Source: Super7 A third wave of the ReAction figure glows in the dark. Collins says, "It's a perfect time for Bootsy." | Source: Super7 This may be unfair to younger generations. Not only has Collins consistently released music and collaborated with popular musicians across genres, his song “I’d Rather Be With You” was sampled on Childish Gambino’s “Redbone” in 2016; Collins infamously played bass on Deee-Lite’s seminal 1990 hit “Groove Is in the Heart,” which never left the airwaves. Collins appears on Fatboy Slim’s “Weapon of Choice” and “The Joker,” and he was a member of alternative metal band Praxis with Brain from Primus, Buckethead, and Bernie Worrell, a founding member of Parliament Funkadelic. He is the mastermind of Silk Sonic, an award-winning collaboration between Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak. In 2022, Collins appeared in the celebrity guest segment of an episode of The Patrick Star Show, a SpongeBob SquarePants spin-off on Nickelodeon. “It’s more, I guess, acceptable,” Collins says of funk today. “It’s more embraced now than it was, I think, in the beginning, but most people didn’t know what the heck it was. And nowadays, everybody knows everything because they got a smartphone.” Thanks to a strong licensing program, Super7’s ReAction Figures aren’t the only Bootsy Collins products on the shelves. Fretboard Brewing, his official beer partner, collaborated with the superstar to brew Bootsy Brewski IPA. He also collaborated with Central Coast Wine Works to create Funkship Chardonnay, Bootzilla Cabernet, and The Power of One, a cabernet. For mornings, the under-caffeinated can drink Bootzilla Blend coffee, a blend of three beans from Latin America with notes of dark chocolate, ripe orange, black cherry, walnut, or Funk Not Fight, an Ethiopian blend with notes of dark chocolate, grapefruit, and crisp flowers. Both blends are from Concerts. Cafe. Or spice up your life instead, with one of three hot sauces from United Sauces: The One, Body Slam, and Bootzilla. The Bootzilla concept alone takes a fan from day to night. Bootzilla Blend coffee, a blend of Latin American beans, is one of two options for the under-caffeinated. | Source: Concerts.Cafe Spice up your life with a trio of themed hot sauces. | Source: United Sauces Fretboard Brewing, Collins' official beer partner, brews Bootsy Brewski IPA. | Source: Fretboard Brewing Central Coast Wine Works offers Funkship Chardonnay, Bootzilla Cabernet, and The Power of One. | Source: Central Coast Wine Works A portion of draft and canned sales benefit the Bootsy Collins Foundation, which aims to inspire children. The Foundation partners with Mercy Health-Clermont Hospital in Batavia, Ohio, and works with The Life Saving endowment, which provides patients with access to antibiotics and education in memory of Kyle Willis, his nephew and a 24-year-old father who died in 2011 as a result of the inability to access health care. Through Bootzilla Productions and Funk University, he mentors young creatives; with Funk Not Fight, founded in 2022, he aims “to stop the tide of violence and unrest in our communities.” Is Collins going to save the world? The Toy Book asked if he’d be open to a comic book. “We should go ahead and start working on that,” he says with excitement. “We’re working on a book right now, but a comic book, that would definitely be the way to go,” Collins says. The book will be about his life. “How I actually started in the business that I didn’t even think of as a business,” he explains. “I was just having a good time. It was more about self-expression and having a good time and making people happy.” Publication is expected in fall 2026. Collins writes and records in a studio filled with toys. “I got a whole studio full of stuff that I collect and people give me, I guess because I look like a cartoon or something,” he says. Fans give him alien toys, action figures, and dolls; he loves The 3 Stooges and the characters he enjoyed as a kid, like Roy Rogers. “A lot of the stuff I keep in the studio is inspiration. It’s just hard to find fun now,” he reflects. Collins provides a tour of his home studio. | Source: Bootsy Collins YouTube As a child, Collins was interested in every toy.  “I started with probably the cowboys on TV,” he says, expressing a fondness for Roy Rogers and Superman. “The comic books introduced me to a whole cast of superheroes that I wanted to be,” he says, noting that it built the foundation to his persona. “I wanted to be this character,” he says, “and I had the opportunity to do it. The kid in me won’t let me grow up.” Album of the Year #1 Funkateer is out now. Fans can catch Collins in conversation May 30 at the Grammy Museum. The event is moderated by Ice Cube. “That’s going to be pretty exciting,” Collins notes. A West Coast tour, starting in Las Vegas, will follow. Find Collins near you and online at bootsycollins.com. RELATED Toys That Rock: Global Merchandising Services Makes Music Icons Shelfworthy BOOTSY COLLINS REACTION FIGURE (RED AND WHITE) Super7's ReAction figure features Collins in a deep-V jumpsuit. He is accessorized with his iconic star-shaped bass. | Source: Super7 This 3.75” articulated Bootsy Collins ReAction Figure features the legendary bassist in his starry red and white jumpsuit and sunglasses. He is accessorized with his signature star bass guitar. Fans can cut out their own pair of Bootsy glasses from the back! Product Facts MSRP: $20 Age: 14+ Manufacturer: Super7 Buy Now The Toy Book participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below. Super7 arrow-rounded Share x Link to X linkedin Link to Linkedin instagram Link to Instagram facebook Link to Facebook BOOTSY COLLINS REACTION FIGURE (BLACK AND GOLD) The collectibles company released a figure of the superstar in a black and gold suit. | Source: Super7 This 3.75” articulated Bootsy Collins ReAction Figure features the legendary bassist in a deep-V black and gold jumpsuit and sunglasses. He is accessorized with his signature star bass guitar. Fans can cut out their own pair of Bootsy glasses from the back! Product Facts MSRP: $20 Age: 14+ Manufacturer: Super7 Buy Now The Toy Book participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below. Super7 arrow-rounded Share x Link to X linkedin Link to Linkedin instagram Link to Instagram facebook Link to Facebook BOOTSY COLLINS REACTION FIGURE (GLOW) A third wave of the ReAction figure glows in the dark. Collins says, "It's a perfect time for Bootsy." | Source: Super7 This 3.75” articulated Bootsy Collins ReAction Figure features the legendary bassist in a glow-in-the-gark starry red and white jumpsuit and sunglasses. He is accessorized with his signature star bass guitar. Fans can cut out their own pair of Bootsy glasses from the back! Product Facts MSRP: $20 Age: 14+ Manufacturer: Super7 Buy Now The Toy Book participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below. Entertainment Earth arrow-rounded Super7 arrow-rounded Rock and Roll Hall of Fame arrow-rounded Share x Link to X linkedin Link to Linkedin instagram Link to Instagram facebook Link to Facebook The post Not Toying Around: Legend in Plastic Bootsy Collins Talks Toys, New Music appeared first on The Toy Book.

Bravado reveals the latest additions to its roster at this year’s Licensing Expo. Grammy Award winner Karol G officially joins the artist merchandising company and will expand her branding with their resources and expertise.  Karol G joins other Bravado’s roster of Latin artists, including Kali Uchis, Carin León, and more. | Bravado Karol G is a Colombian superstar known for her hit songs “Bichota,” “Provenza,” and “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido.” The Latin pop artist was named Billboard Latin Woman of the Year in 2024, and released a Netflix documentary, Karol G: Tomorrow Was Beautiful, earlier this month. RELATED Legendary Luchador Fray Tormenta Partners with Masked Republic Karol G joins Bravado’s growing slate of Latin artists, including Anitta, Kali Uchis, Carin León, Myke Towers, and Xavi. With Latin music growing in popularity and revenue, Bravado plans to expand its licensing partners with its resources and partnerships in more than 40 markets. U.S. Latin music revenue hit a record $1.4 billion last year, and it now accounts for more than 8% of the total U.S. music market share. Bravado is also well-positioned to drive premium licensing programs for these artists across fashion, lifestyle, and retail platforms. To view Bravado’s full list of Latin artists and licensing programs, visit bravado.com.  The post Bravado Grows Roster with Grammy Award Winner Karol G appeared first on The Toy Book.

Famed animation and live-action filmmaker Tim Burton (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Frankenweenie, Beetlejuice, Wednesday) pays tribute to his love of dogs —especially his own furry best bud, Levi — with a new collaboration with PETA to create illustrations featuring the playful pup for a limited-edition line of t-shirts, tote bags and bandanas. The […]

To celebrate Mattel’s 80th anniversary, the iconic toy company and the Canadian independent game studio, Uken Games, are teaming up for the worldwide mobile game launch of Mattel Match: Toybox Unlocked. In this free-to-play game featuring classic licensed Mattel brands such as Barbie, Fisher-Price, Uno, Thomas & Friends, Hot Wheels, Masters of the Universe, and more, players journey through themed puzzle levels, matching toys, items, and characters under the Mattel umbrella. Players also encounter a jumbled toy box where they must find branded trios before the time runs out. “For the first time ever, Mattel is uniting its beloved brands in a single mobile game with Mattel Match: Toybox Unlocked, offering fans an exciting, new way to engage with the characters and stories they love,” says Erika Winterholler, Head of Business Development, Digital Gaming at Mattel. “Our team has really enjoyed working with Uken Games to imagine and create this unique, interconnected world on mobile and can’t wait to have it join our growing portfolio of digital entertainment titles.” RELATED ‘Winx Club’ and Spaceport Bring Fairy Magic to Roblox Mattel Match: Toybox Unlocked marks Mattel’s first-ever digital IP crossover mobile game, showcasing the company’s commitment to evolving with the digital landscape and engaging fans through fresh brand experiences. “Uken is delighted to partner with Mattel on this iconic mobile match game that seamlessly brings together your favorite Mattel brands with this unique & challenging gameplay style,” says Chris Ye, Co-CEO of Uken Games. “I cannot wait to see players filling their digital toy boxes with their favorite Barbie, Hot Wheels, and UNO toys among the many others the game will feature.” Mattel Match: Toybox Unlocked is currently in soft launch in the Philippines and Canada, with additional regions set to follow in anticipation of its official global release later this year. This innovative mobile game release marks Mattel’s eight decades of leadership and excellence in the toy industry. The post Mattel Partners with Uken Games for Mobile Game Launch appeared first on The Toy Book.

The Las Vegas skyline has a special light show featuring some familiar bouncy friends, just in time for Licensing Expo. From May 19 to May 25, Ty’s Beanie Bouncers is taking over the Sphere with a special animated show featuring licensed characters from the product line, including Paw Patrol, Bluey, Spider-Man, and more. You won't be able to miss this eye-catching celebration of fan-favorite characters. This is the perfect venue to showcase the Ty Beanie Bouncers licensed collection during Licensing Expo, creating excitement, nostalgia, and anticipation for attendees and spectators alike. Ty Warner, founder of Ty Inc. The giant screen space offers Licensing Expo attendees and Las Vegas visitors an opportunity to check out the plush-meets-bouncing-ball collection as they bounce across the world’s largest LED screen. Ty recently posted a video on Instagram showing part of the display running on the Sphere. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ty (@tyinc) To find out more about Ty’s Beanie Bouncers, visit the Ty website. RELATED From Frights To Flights: This Year’s Hottest Brands Take Off At Licensing Expo The post Ty’s Beanie Bouncers Take Over the Las Vegas Sphere appeared first on The Toy Book.

Global character brand Line Friends, also known as IPX, has partnered with Ketnipz. Ketnipz is a well-known, character-driven brand that has gained millions of fans worldwide. With an already established strong fanbase in Europe and the U.S., Ketnipz brings a unique audience that, combined with Line Friends’ global reach, strengthens both parties’ influence in the international IP landscape. Ketnipz, created by Harry Hambley nearly a decade ago in 2016, has gained viral popularity in Europe and North America due to its wholesome, relatable content that spreads messages of self-love and positivity. The brand began with Bean and has expanded with additional characters Nana Bean, Catto, and Doggo. It has collaborated with McDonald’s, Instagram, Casetify, and Samsung. Ketnipz is known for its comedic and appealing animation. | Source: Ketnipz’s YouTube Channel The brands will focus on growing Ketnipz’s presence in key markets, including North America and Asia through licensing opportunities, brand collaborations, and fresh content development. “Ketnipz IP has delivered joy and connection with their audience through its heartwarming messages and storytelling,” says a Line Friends representative. “As a leader in global IP business, we believe the company can bring great success with Ketnipz in Asia as well as global markets. Building on our successful global expansion with South Korean IPs, we expect to lead the U.K.-based IP Ketnipz into the Asian market and will continue to discover character IPs to bring new IP experiences for global fans.” RELATED Blasting Off: Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Licensing Program Shoots for the Stars Ahead of New Movie Line Friends intends to build its IP business power to expand Ketnipz’s global presence and solidify its leadership in the global IP market. For more information, visit linefriends.com. The post Line Friends Joins Ketnipz to Grow Global IP Expansion appeared first on The Toy Book.

Chapter Two… Market or No Market… You write this short story. All done. In your magic bakery you have created a magic pie. That pie has a lot of value that I will talk about in later chapters. But instead of taking the pie out of the kitchen and putting it in your store to sell to customers around the world, you just put it on a shelf in the kitchen, for some reason deciding not to market your story. Pie will not spoil. It can just sit there for years and years. But it is not making you any money, not paying you back for the time and energy it took to write it. Not helping you find new readers, new customers for your magic bakery. I can’t begin to count the hundreds of times in the last few years I have heard a writer complaining about not selling much when they only have five things up for sale, while at the same time have a lot of stories and novels they have not gotten out of the kitchen. So for a moment, let’s look at your magic bakery from the perspective of a customer. This customer happens to run across your bakery. Maybe someone told them where it was. So this customer steps in the door into the wonderful smells of baking. You only have five things out for sale, which means only five pies on the shelves. But the customer sees this great store full of nothing but empty shelves. Customer knows there will be nothing there for them and turns around and walks out. This is why the 20 major books idea works. It is enough, if you stage your store correctly, to help the reader think there is something in your store they might like. Think about what you would do as a customer if you walked into a store of empty shelves with only five things for sale total. You would turn and leave. But new writers who have listened to the myths of write a book and get rich flat don’t understand this concept. And their magic bakeries are very sad places, not even earning enough to brew themselves a pot of coffee. Now imagine my magic bakery. I have thousands of pies of novels, novellas, short stories, collections, and editing projects. Hundreds of people browsing at any moment of the day or night in my massive store, the cash register constantly ringing up sales even though the pies never change. Now granted, I have some shelves in my kitchen full of pies not yet put out into the main bakery, mostly because I am writing at such speed, spending so many hours in the bakery kitchen, the publishing part can’t keep up, but those stories will get out into the store and when they do I might have to add yet another addition to the magic bakery. One thing to remember… A magic pie sitting in the kitchen or out in your store has a massive amount of value. When you put a magic pie out and let it start earning for you, its value does go up. But earning or not, the magic pie still has a lot of value. The big problem is that the owner of that pie must believe in the value and even try to understand the value in the magic they have created. Sadly, for most writers, it seems almost impossible that what they have created is worth anything. And thus why so many magic pies never make it off the kitchen shelves and years later end up in the trash, even though they are still fresh and have immense value.    

Charlotte Magazines UK Ltd has applied to Camden Council for a new premises licence for the ground floor of 66 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia. Permission is sought for the sale of alcohol to drink both on and off the premises from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. APP\PREMISES-NEW\128149, 66 Charlotte Street, London W1T 4QE. (Currently the […] The post Licensing application: Charlotte Street Magazines, 66 Charlotte Street appeared first on The Fitzrovia News.