Webinar on Licensing. You won't get airline miles.

No need to get on an airplane. Education delivered to your office, see - Cynopsis Kids Announces Webinar on The New Lessons of Licensing: How to Maximize Tune In, Brand Engagement & Revenue. From their Press Release - "Executives from DHX Media, LIMA, and Saban Brands will share their insights ... on May 29...". ($295 per site). Seems like a good idea.

Just a sad, sad story - Donald Sterling

Some stories are just too big to ignore. This is one of them, see - Advertisers back away from LA Clippers. The comments attributed to Donald Sterling are reprehensible. The NBA has given him a lifetime ban. Good.

100 million counterfeit listings, is that a problem?

It's hard to get a handle on just how big China is. China has nine cities with a population greater than New York City. The Alibaba Group is China's premier internet e-commerce web portal. Alibaba has more sales than eBay and Amazon combined. How many counterfeit listings would you expect on Alibaba's website. Would you believe 100 million? See - Knockoffs Thrive on Alibaba's Taobao.

I'll bet his mother did not throw out his baseball cards.

The Redbird's Pat Neshek is a baseball player who appears on baseball cards and also collects them, see - Redbirds' Neshek is a real card ... collector, that is. (My son still hasn't forgiven his mother for throwing out his baseball cards.) Nashek has an enviable collection, but he is still searching for the holy grail of baseball cards, the Honus Wagner card from the early 1900s, the T206.
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Disturbance in the Force - Star Wars without George Lucas

In late 2012 Disney acquired Lucasfilm and has since announced new Star War movies - see FAQ: Everything you need to know about Lucasfilm's Star Wars 'Expanded Universe' announcement. Disney is charting their own course with the Star Wars Expanded Universe. About the Expanded Universe George Lucas has said "I don't read that stuff. I haven't read any of the novels. I don't know anything about that world. That's a different world than my world". I'm glad Disney didn't buy Rocky.

Don't run around the block, run around Costa Rica

When you put your Reebok's on there is no telling how far you will run. You can now get a fitness vacation from Reebok, see - Sports brand Reebok offering adventure travel packages. It looks like you can absolutely wear yourself out on a Reebok vacation. When you get home you can rest.

Anyone remember Greg the Hammer Valentine?

Greg the Hammer Valentine was always my favorite WWE wrestler.  He was inducted to the WWE Hale of Fame in 2004. If you attend the Licensing Expo 2014 in Las Vegas, you'll be able to see one of the current WWE Superstars at the WWE booth. Last year WWE wrestler Ryback was in the booth signing autographs. The Motley Fool examines the WWE financial status in Is World Wrestling Entertainment Poised for a Gain or a Smackdown?

Hello Kitty in your eye?

Who would thing of putting an image on your contact lens. Kitty Chan, of course, see - Those freaky Hello Kitty contact lenses are back, and this time she brought friends!. You can get your very own contact lens with Hello Kitty wrapped around the edge. If you want to change your contact lens during the week, you can get contact lenses with the rabbit My Melody (in pink), or the Little Twin Stars, Kiki and LaLa. Personally, I'll wait for a contact lens with Elvis.

U.S. Military protects their brand

U.S. Military branches have trademarks and licensed products. And just as companies must protect their trademarks, the U.S. Military must also protect theirs. When private companies use military images in product promotion, things begin to get hazy, see - Military, Inc.: How Companies Use SEALs and Soldiers to Sell. Just how far can you go using military images without infringing on U.S. Military trademarks?

Bank Employees by Day and Superheroes by Night.

Never occurred to me that my bank teller may be a superhero. But you never know, see - Financial Superheroes Teach Kids Money Basics. The Centsables are "animated superheroes who entertain kids and educate them about financial topics". They are found on TV, merchandise, licensed products and in books and comic books. 

Twins fans die for their team, really.

I'm a sports fan, but there are limits. When I close my eyes for the final time, I'm going to be concerned with final judgment, not if the Dodgers win the World Series. Others have a different view, see - Products made for die-hard Twins fans -- to the end. But actually I'm not too worried about the final test. I've got it on good authority that St. Peter is a Dodger's fan (heard it from Tommy Lasorda). Glad I don't root for the Giants.

So what does a U-T Longhorn fragrance smell like?

As is widely known, the University of Texas mascot, Bevo, is a Longhorn steer. So here's a good idea, a U-T fragrance, see - UT-inspired fragrances let Longhorn fans wear team spirit in a whole new way. And we'll put a picture of a Longhorn steer on the bottle. Can't wait to find out what it smells like. On the other hand, maybe I can wait.

Marvel/Disney and Warner Bros. each have $6 billion in licensing revenue

If you attend the Licensing Expo, you can't help but notice that Disney and Warner Bros. have impressive exhibits. I guess when you have $6 billion in licensing revenue you can afford to go to Las Vegas and make a splash, see - Why Marvel's 14-Year Movie Plan Should Cause Concern For Warner Bros.

Is this licensing story shady or is it just me?

There is a new Nintendo DS emulator for iOS that enables you to run Mario on your mobile device, see - Mario Goes Mobile – NDS4iOS Brings Nintendo DS to iOS…Unofficially, Of Course. You can't find the emulator (named NDS4iOS) on the Apple App store. You have to download the emulator from the official NDS4iOS website. And you have to change the date on your device back to February 8 2014. What?

Star Wars Day is May 4th. You knew that didn't you?

Today I learned that Star Wars Day is May 4th. You're probably laughing at me because of course you knew that.  I learned of this historic day in the article MY M&M's® Celebrates 'May The 4th' With Star Wars-Themed Products. 'May the Force be with you' and Darth Vader on M&Ms. How great is that!

License your favorite NFL star

The NFL has just made it much easier to license your favorite NFL star, see - NFL Players Able To More Successfully Sell Social Media Access With New Activate Platform. The NFL Players Association has a new program Activate that will "provide brands large and small the opportunity to build robust digital endorsement campaigns with NFL players". Imagine that, you can possibly license Richard Sherman.

Easter Bunny must be a licensee

This year the Easter Bunny will be delivering Eric the Elephant Easter eggs to some lucky children, see - Sainsbury's takes on branded Easter eggs with new own-label range. If you've been really good you may also get 10 Unbelievably Cute Disney Easter Eggs or Easter Eggs from the Angry Birds Easter Eggs Candy Stuffed 25 Eggs Easter Egg Hunt.

Walk all over Hans Solo

Hans Solo is a hero. It doesn't seem right to walk all over him. But that's what you can do, see - This Rug Encases Han Solo in Carbonite On Your Living Room Floor. You can also get Hans Solo stuck in Carbonite on your door. Or even better, Hans Solo stuck in Carbonite ice cubes. Poor Hans Solo.

Two Billion views of Annoying Orange

What does it say about us that we enjoy be annoyed by an orange? See - Annoying Orange creator talks two billion views. And you can get your very own Annoying Orange stuffed toy which is the size of a cantaloupe. Here's an example of the Annoying Orange in action - Annoying Orange Wazzup.

Only $1,600 for a girl's dress

The Disney movie 'Frozen' is a huge success. The Princess Elsa dress from the Walt Disney Co. is also proving to be a big seller, see - Disney's 'Frozen' dress prompts nationwide demand. The dress has sold out in most stores across the nation. The original dresses are being offered for $1,600 on ebay.  Should have bought one when I was in China last year, oh well.

Colorado Rockie fans could care less

The annual Brand Keys Sports Fan Loyalty Index purportedly reveals which teams have the most loyal fans, see - Most Loyal Fans In Baseball.  This year the St. Louis Cardinals' fans are deemed the most loyal, and the Colorado Rockies' fans have the least loyalty. Unfortunately, this index appears to be flawed. The San Francisco Giant fans are ranked as more loyal that the Los Angeles Dodgers fans. Everyone outside the sight of the Golden Gate Bridge knows this simply can't be true.

Michelle Obama may be out to get Dora the Explorer

Watch out Dora the Explorer, Michelle Obama may have her eye on you. The federal government is looking into whether cartoon characters are contributing to childhood obesity, see The Dora Diet. As the article notes "The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded two grants totaling $750,000 to find out if cartoon characters are making children overweight". Will there be no more Dora the Explorer cake (Dora the Explorer Edible Cake Topper Decoration)? Instead, you will be able to serve Dora the Explorer broccoli at your child's birthday party.

Were Reggie Bush and Chris Webber ahead of their time?

Reggie Bush and Chris Webber were found by the NCAA to have accepted gifts in violation of NCAA rules. Their schools, USC and Michigan, were severely punished. (And a good man, Michigan basketball coach Steve Fisher, was unfairly fired.) A recent National Labor Relations Board decision (see - College athletes union could put billions at stake) may lead to paying college players during their college careers. College coaches already earn millions. Is the NCAA entirely blameless here?

Fountain water for $19.99, but don't drink it!

Fountain water from real fountains. The fountains at the Kansas City Royals' Kauffman Stadium, see - The Royals are selling water from Kauffman Stadium fountains. And believe it or not, it is officially licensed and authenticated by Major League Baseball. Someone is able to put on their resume, "I authenticated the officially licensed Kauffman Stadium fountain water". Who would not want to hire that person?

Grumpy cat will make you smile

If you are feeling down take a look at this cat - The Web's grumpiest cat has hit her terrible twos. Now you don't feel so bad, do you? This cat has her own agent,  T-shirts, calendars and a best-selling book available in 14 languages. Who says being grumpy doesn't pay?

Defend Freedom Without Putting on Pants

Defend freedom in a bathrobe, see Captain America Bathrobe Lets You Defend Freedom Without Putting on Pants. And really, isn't that what this great country is all about? For just $70 you can be patriotic and a super soldier. What a bargain.

Licensed Games That Do It Right

I don't know anything about video games, but Jared Cornelius, the author of today's article, sure seems to, see - License To Kill It: Licensed Games That Do It Right. You've got to love the passion he shows in this article.

I've died and gone to heaven, the Village People are going to sell underwear

Sometimes your fondest dreams do come true. I've always wished that I could purchase Village People underwear. And now, would you believe it, Village People underwear is going to go on sale, see - Village People underwear to hit retail.   It's gets even better. Not only can you buy underwear, but you can also buy nightwear and socks. Be still my heart.

Rosetta Stone offers Klingon language course

Several new products were offered by Thinkgeek today, including: Rosetta Stone® - Learn to Speak Klingon; Flux Capacitor Car Charger; and, Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise Flying Disc. Details may be found in the Daily Top Licensing Industry News Story.