Chase is on the case when it comes to the protection of Spin Master’s intellectual property (IP) in China.
The Toronto-based Spin Master Corp. has emerged victorious in a number of cases filed against Chinese companies that have engaged in “malicious infringement” of the company’s IP rights. This includes the mass production of counterfeit, bootleg, and knockoff toys based on PAW Patrol and Bakugan.
“These wins strengthen our confidence in China’s IP protection environment and judicial regime,” says Chris Harrs, Spin Master’s general counsel and corporate secretary. “Spin Master will continue exploring routes, including legal action, to protect our IP rights as well as consumers’ interests.”
These victories include the right to financial compensation to Spin Master for patent violations. Additionally, this marks the first criminal judgment obtained involving the illegal use of characters from the animated series PAW Patrol.
The company says that counterfeiters’ factories and warehouses were raided by Chinese police forces. In addition to product seizures and the arrest of certain suspects, two individuals have already received prison sentences and monetary fines. Additional cases are currently pending.
Spin Master says that families in China should only purchase toys through official retailers, including Toys “R” us and the Spin Master online flagship stores on Tmall and other platforms.
