Hello Kitty Lawsuit TrackerUnofficial Sanrio Legal Archive
Case fileReal

Disney Enterprises, DC Comics & Sanrio, Inc. v. The Party Animals LLC

Sanrio joined Disney and DC to sue a costume company over counterfeit character mascots, including Hello Kitty. An example of brands teaming up against a single counterfeiter.

Disney Enterprises, DC Comics, and Sanrio, Inc.,
Plaintiff,
v.
The Party Animals LLC (Jason Lancaster),
Defendant.
Docket No.not public
CourtU.S. District Court, Central District of California
Filed2012
StatusFiled

The record

Court
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
Jurisdiction
United States
Docket No.
not public
Filed
2012
Sanrio’s role
Plaintiff
Type
Counterfeiting
Claims
Copyright infringement; Trademark infringement
Counsel — plaintiff/petitioner
not public
Counsel — Sanrio side
not public

What happened

Sanrio joined Disney and DC to sue a costume company over counterfeit character mascots, including Hello Kitty. An example of brands teaming up against a single counterfeiter.

Outcome

Sought statutory damages (reported up to $150k per copyright and large trademark figures). Outcome not public.

The legal nuance

Co-plaintiff enforcement spreads cost and signals to the market.

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