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 [

https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3473073-1&h=1055212626&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spinmaster.com%2F&a=spinmaster.com

] or follow-on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @spinmaster.

Sophia Bisoukis, Vice President, Investor Relations, sophiab@spinmaster.com

SOURCE  Spin Master Corp.