Toy company Jellycat has brought legal action against retailers Next and Hamleys, seeking substantial damages and court orders to stop them from continuing alleged “passing off.” According to court documents reported by multiple outlets, Jellycat accuses the companies of marketing and selling products that are too similar to Jellycat’s own “cuddly” items in a way that could mislead customers into believing they are buying Jellycat goods. The claim also seeks injunctions intended to prevent Next and Hamleys from using packaging, branding, or product presentations that Jellycat argues are designed to trade on its reputation.
The reports describe the lawsuit as part of Jellycat’s efforts to protect its intellectual property and brand identity, and they indicate that the company is asking the High Court to award monetary compensation in addition to restraining orders. The filings reportedly set out Jellycat’s position that the retailers’ products are effectively presented as Jellycat items rather than clearly identified as separate goods. Next and Hamleys have not been described in the reports as admitting wrongdoing, and the case is at the stage of being brought before the courts.
