Spin Master Wins Landmark IP Protection Victories in China
PR94999
TORONTO, March 15, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --
Spin Master Corp. (TSX: TOY) (www.spinmaster.com), a leading global children's
entertainment today announced several landmark IP protection case wins. The
victories are a positive sign of China's commitment to tackle counterfeiting
and IP infringement in the toy industry.
The cases include financial compensation following a win for Spin Master in a
patent lawsuit against a Chinese company, as well as the first criminal
judgment obtained for its popular PAW Patrol(R) cartoon series. The outcomes
send a clear message that malicious infringement of IP rights will cost
counterfeiters.
The cases further represent a crackdown on counterfeit toy products, which
don't meet safety certification standards and could endanger children. The
strong stances taken will have a lasting effect on the enforcement of IP rights
in the region.
Spin Master also successfully protected its patent for the award-winning
Bakugan(R) toys in a patent infringement lawsuit against a major local
imitator. The infringer's 'Monster Hunter' toys closely mirrored the Bakugan
series and, despite the infringer's attempts to delay the process of litigation
over a number of years, Spin Master obtained a favourable final civil judgment.
The patent related to Bakugan toys was also sustained.
Spin Master was awarded CNY 15.5 million (approx. 2.4 million USD) in damages,
in a decision that demonstrated the Chinese Supreme People's Court is willing
to take strong action. It serves as a warning for local IP infringers that the
rights of multinationals, whether toy producers or manufacturers of other
products, will be upheld in China.
Spin Master also successfully sought criminal action against counterfeiters
across China, who had produced fake, unsafe toy merchandise for children in the
region, selling them under the guise of being part of Spin Master's PAW Patrol
line.
Several local counterfeiters were raided by police, resulting in product
seizures and detention of suspects. Two individuals were sentenced to
imprisonment and received monetary penalties. Prosecutions against other
infringers are still undergoing.
"These wins strengthen our confidence in China's IP protection environment and
judicial regime," said Chris Harrs, Spin Master's General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary. "Spin Master will continue exploring routes, including legal action,
to protection our IP rights as well as consumers' interests."
Consumers may purchase the PAW Patrol series and other toys developed by Spin
Master through authorized distribution channels in China, including Toys "R" Us
and Spin Master official online flagship stores in Tmall and other platforms.
About Spin Master
Spin Master Corp. (TSX:TOY) is a leading global children's entertainment
company, creating exceptional play experiences through its three creative
centres: Toys, Entertainment and Digital Games. With distribution in over 100
countries, Spin Master is best known for award-winning brands PAW Patrol(R),
Bakugan(R), Kinetic Sand(R), Air Hogs(R), Hatchimals(R), Rubik's Cube(R) and
GUND(R), and is the global toy licensee for other popular properties. Spin
Master Entertainment creates and produces compelling multiplatform content,
through its in-house studio and partnerships with outside creators, including
the preschool franchise PAW Patrol and numerous other original shows,
short-form series and feature films. The Company has an established presence in
digital games, anchored by the Toca Boca(R) and Sago Mini(R) brands, offering
open-ended and creative game and educational play in digital environments.
Through Spin Master Ventures, the Company makes minority investments globally
in emerging companies and start-ups. With over 30 offices in close to 20
countries, Spin Master employs more than 2,000 team members globally. For more
information visit spinmaster.com [
] or follow-on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @spinmaster.
Sophia Bisoukis, Vice President, Investor Relations, sophiab@spinmaster.com
SOURCE Spin Master Corp.
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