M by Madonna Debuts at H&M

Renata Espinosa Fri Mar 23
New York - Shoppers lined up on 5th Avenue early Thursday morning, March 22 for the launch of M by Madonna, the latest capsule collection from Swedish fashion retailer H&M.

The collection, the second and last collection by Madonna offered by H&M, is a 30 piece selection of body conscious basics with a narrow silhouette, mostly in black, white or khaki, that include trench coats in nylon or leather, skinny black pants, cropped jackets, graphic print dresses, bodysuits and wrap sweaters.
Along with the clothing line, M by Madonna also features a range of accessories, including a corset belt, patent leather stacked heels and a jewel box purse in silver or black leather.

Along with many other limited addition lines from designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Viktor & Rolf and Stella McCartney, H&M is now featuring Madonna’s second collection in stores world wide. The collection includes a variety of apparel and accessories ranging from body suits to leather heels. In the past this Swedish retail chain has experienced extreme success with the collections they have offered by well known fashion designers. Madonna, being an icon herself, has established a line by picking through her own closet and selecting items she believed should be in every woman’s possession. I believe that offering collections such as these gives the consumer somewhat of a celebrity wardrobe for a portion of the cost. Every girl can agree that they would love to wear something designed by Karl Lagerfeld but cannot afford the high price tag. Licensing celebrity and designer names is a good marketing technique for the chain itself. Customers are excited to see the new collections to a point where there are lines out the door. After the collection launched, I found myself heading to the nearest H&M to see the line myself. Most of the apparel consisted of very basic top and bottom jumpsuits along with some printed dresses ranging from $50 and up.

Jackie Webb

Sharper Image and OfficeMax Announce Licensing Partnership

SAN FRANCISCO and NAPERVILLE, Ill., March 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Sharper Image Corporation today announced a multi-year licensing agreement with OfficeMax(R) Incorporated
Under the agreement, OfficeMax will offer Sharper Image branded office furniture and accessories made exclusively for OfficeMax under the Sharper Image Office(R) brand. Products will include desks, chairs, shredders, desk sets, accessories and related items. The furniture line's quality construction, unique functions and features will be consistent with the quality, excitement and innovation associated with Sharper Image products. The first product collection is currently rolling out into OfficeMax stores, with additional collections to debut throughout 2007 and beyond.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,82195.shtml

Hey, I thought this article was interesting because it has to do with two large compainies joining together. The reason that OfficeMax is doing this is to try to differentiate themselves from thier competitors. They feel they can attract new customers by using the Shaper Image name. OfficeMax feels that this will give them a more modern feel and really help their home furnishings department. This is the first licensing agreement for Sharper Image. The article also mentions how Sharper Image now provides other licensing opportunites on intellectual property, including patents and trademarks. I think that this will really help both companys in the future. They are both very well known companies and it should help them make new customers.

John Pruzinsky

Boss Bullish on '07, Inks Deal With Swarovski

Hugo Boss is bullish about 2007, projecting rising sales and income, as well as signing a licensing agreement with a Swarovski Group subsidiary for men's and women's fashion jewelry under the Boss brand names. In addition, Hugo Boss and Amazar Holding AG, of Swarovski Group, have signed a six-year licensing deal that went into effect March 1.

The first collection of Boss Black and Boss Orange jewelry will be presented in spring 2008, and will be available in Hugo Boss stores and selected department and jewelry stores worldwide in July 2008.

http://www.wwd.com/search/article/114185?page=0&query=license

I think this is a great idea because many people who like Hugo Boss also like Swarovski. I am sure this will increase revenue as they are expecting it too. I believe this is a logical step for Boss because they can expand into an accesory line and can even pull in new consumers. Swarovski is known to have gorgeous pieces and accesories as well and this licensing deal is a very good idea for both companies because both are such high end known names. I cant wait to see whatthey come out with :)

-- Renata Levin

Fuji Xerox & Microsoft In Cross Licensing Deal

Fuji Xerox Co. Ltd. and Microsoft Corp. have announced a broad patent agreement allowing access to each company's patent portfolios and accelerate research and development. Fuji Xerox, owned by FUJIFILM Holdings Corp. and Xerox Corp., is a global player in research and development related to document management systems and maintain a broad patent portfolio to include patents in the United States and Japan.

"We are pleased to be able to reach a broad, mutually beneficial patent agreement with Microsoft that respects each company's patent portfolio, encourages greater interoperability and provides valuable protection for the customers of each company's products and services," says Kiyoshi Saito, senior vice president of Fuji Xerox Co. Ltd.

"Both Fuji Xerox and Microsoft have a strong commitment to innovation, and the broad patent agreement will give us both the freedom to continue developing and building technologies that will ultimately work better together," says Brad Smith, senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Microsoft.

Hey Everyone!.. This article discusses the new licensing deal between Fuji and Microsoft. Fuji Xerox will get access to Microsoft patents for Fuji's existing and future product lines. That includes products to incorporate proprietary source and open source software. In return, Microsoft will gain access to Fuji patents for Microsoft's existing and future proprietary product lines, including Microsoft Office. The agreement allows both companies receive compensation from patent portfolios.

Senior vice president of Microsoft, Brad Smith, said that the agreement was an example of their desire to share innovations with other companies and build a stronger IT ecosystem through access to intellectual property.

Michele Piccolino

http://www.cxotoday.com/India/News/Fuji_Xerox_Microsoft_In_Cross_Licensing_Deal/551-79951-908.html

Charges dropped in Russian Microsoft Piracy Case

Interesting case from Russia recently where a school principal, Alexander Ponosov, 40, was charged with violating Russia's copyright law for using pirated Microsoft software on school computers. The Russian judge, Vera Barakina, in a regional court in Vereshagino, about 650 miles east of Moscow, ruled that the principal was guilty of installing Windows and software suites on 12 computers used by his students which had cost Microsoft about $9,700, but called this sum "insignificant" compared with Microsoft's worldwide income. The principal, who could have been sentenced to five years in prison, celebrated by uncorking Champagne outside the courthouse! The case resonated widely in Russia, with President Putin calling it "utter nonsense" and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev writing a letter to Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, in which he asked for the company to drop the charges.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-02/16/content_5748322.htm

This case of copyright infringement of software is interesting because the Russian government wants to crack down on illegal software, but prosecutors chose poorly in going after a low-income teacher who has become a folk hero! Microsoft chose to distance itself from the backlash by claiming "it is generally opposed to prosecuting teachers for software piracy". In my opinion, it would have been wiser to go after the distributors of pirated software which would deter others. Also, I disagree with the judge's argument for leniency that Microsoft is a wealthy corporation. That is like arguing that stealing from a rich person is not wrong just because the person can afford it.

Ritu Dhillon

Viacom videos still playing on Youtube

Viacom sued Google for more than $1 billion on Tuesday over alleged copyright violations by its YouTube video unit. Viacom has succeeded in winning the deletion of some of its content, but many popular clips are still easily available.
That fact underscored the challenges in policing one of the Internet's most popular sites, where content is supplied by an army of fans eager to share that hilarious bit from last week's Saturday Night Live or Family Guy.
Many popular clips on YouTube have come from shows that air on Viacom's family of television stations, which include MTV Networks' Comedy Central and Nickelodeon.
Viacom said nearly 160,000 unauthorized clips had been uploaded onto YouTube and viewed more than 1.5 billion times.

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-6167167.html

Hey guys, I thought that this article was interesting since we have been watching YouTube videos so much in class. This article discusses how snippets of TV shows are being shown on Youtube without consent. Viacom took charge and sued Google, the owner of YouTube, for more than $1 billion. They called to have the videos pulled, but like the music industry's request it was denied. The only cooperation YouTube is receiving is from NBC who is allowing a certain number of videos to be aired. Hope you enjoy the article!

Lauren Barnett

Starz Files Suit Against Disney

March 22, 2007
By Anthony Crupi

Liberty Media’s Starz Entertainment on Thursday filed suit against the Walt Disney Co., alleging that the company’s Buena Vista Television subsidiary allowed third-party video download services to sell a number of titles that were contractually licensed to Starz.
With the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Starz aims to block Buena Vista from continuing to sell the contested titles via etailers like Apple’s iTunes and Walmart.com.
Starz said that under the terms of earlier agreements with Buena Vista, Disney is prohibited from selling its films for transmission over the Internet before Starz’ first exclusive license period expires.
The suit notes that since the first deal was struck in 1993, Starz has paid “over $1 billion” to reserve periods of exclusivity for the Disney titles.
Disney’s current deal with Starz lasts through 2010, at which point the studio has the option of renewing for another three years.
Clasen also noted that it was somewhat ironic that Disney was in violation of a copyright agreement, given that the film studios “have been very aggressive, and quite rightly so, in protecting their copyrights, particularly with regard to the Internet ... If Disney is permitted to violate our contract in this manner, it will undermine the integrity of copyright in general which is a cornerstone of our industry.”
The suit seeks to prevent Buena Vista from “continuing to infringe on Starz’ rights” and asks for all profits that have accumulated as a result of the alleged infringement.

I found this article interesting because Disney was in violation of a copyright agreement because of the company Buena Vista's. Disney was prohibited from selling its films over the internet before the deal with Starz untiil 2010, then the studio will have an option of renewing for another three years. This article relates to the Fair Use of copyrighted material and the U.S. code 107. Copyright laws are to prevent others from unauthorized reproduction or modification for a work of author ship.

-Vivian Yu

http://www.brandweek.com/bw/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003561827

Viacom's case against YouTube and Google

By MICHAEL FRICKLAS

VIACOM initiated litigation against YouTube and Google this month for their long-standing infringement of Viacom's copyrights. Our action has stirred discussion about the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and quite a lot of confusion.

YouTube has been constantly fighting battles dealing with copyright infringement. However the digital copyright act doesn't protect Youtube because it is more of a place for entertainment. It is important for Youtube to know what is being put on their website and if or what laws it is breaking. The article states that, "Intellectual property is worth $650 billion a year to the U.S. economy." Intellectual property is the most important thing people and companies can have and it should always be protected. YouTube needs to be more aware of what is going on on their website in order to avoid the never ending lawsuits. They are very capable of controling what is being put on their website, which can make all the difference.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/4663191.html

Alexandra Artim

Tory Burch Files Infringement Suit

Tuesday, March 13, 2007
By Liza Casabona

NEW YORK — Tory Burch is taking a stance to protect her popular ballet flats.

River Light V, which produces the Tory Burch line, filed a trademark infringement lawsuit last week against Wanted Stores Inc., Orva Stores and A&E Stores Inc., which does business as Strawberry Stores. The lawsuit alleged that all three companies sold shoes that infringe on Tory Burch's Reva ballet flat trademark.

In this article the Tory Burch line filed a lawsuit against Wanted Stores Inc., Orva Stores and A&E Stores Inc. - All three stores do business with Strawberry Stores. These stores were accused of selling ballet flats that resembled the Tory Burch line of ballet flats. The imitation flats sold from $19.99 - $39.99 and the Tory Burch flats sold at one price of $195.00. In conclusion, River Light V demanded that all of the imitation flats be taken off the shelves and destroyed.

Courtney De Witt - Licensing T/TH 1:35pm.

Diane von Furstenberg Files Trademark Suit

"NEW YORK-- Diane von Furstenberg Studio and Diane von Furstenberg Studio L.P. filed a lawsuit against Joanna Ha, who does business as dvfdresses, safeisbest, nypad, New York Pillows and Drapes and joannaha.com, and other unnamed defendants for alleged trademark infringement and trademark counterfeiting. "

In this article, Ha, allegedly sold counterfeit wrap dresses bearing the DVF trademarks online through eBay and other web sites, according to court papers. The complaint made against Ha, deceived customers into thinking they were buying DVF products when they were not. The designer asked the court for $1 million in statutory damages per counterfeited mark, plus actual damages and punitive damages for the defendants intentional infringement.

Courtney De Witt, Licensing Tuesday/Thursday 1:35 pm.