OpenAI is not paying Disney in cash for those character rights. Instead, Disney is being compensated entirely in stock warrants—options to buy more equity in OpenAI at today’s valuation—on top of its already announced $1 billion equity investment. This isn’t just a licensing deal. It is a bet that generative AI will be so valuable that trading immediate IP revenue for upside in the AI company itself is worth the risk. For creators, this shift has profound implications.

Disney’s latest moves with OpenAI and Google didn’t just shake up Hollywood—they quietly reset the baseline for what creators should be asking for in every contract in 2026. This article is your quick 3-step reference guide (with practical tips) that you can keep beside you when you mark up a deal, or share with your clients to help them negotiate fair deals. Bonus: check out the 3 Step Checklist for Your Next Brand Deal at the end!

Eminem's music publishing company has filed a significant lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc., seeking over $100 million in damages. This isn't just another celebrity headline; it's a major legal dispute that highlights critical questions about intellectual property rights, and digital licensing.

Learn how Taylor Swift's fight for her music masters offers vital lessons in intellectual property, M&A, and contract law. The music industry, a vibrant tapestry of artistic expression and commercial enterprise, often becomes a battleground for ownership and control. Few sagas illustrate this struggle as vividly and publicly as that of Taylor Swift...