Viacom International Inc. has filed a lawsuit in New York federal court against an unnamed toy and apparel company, alleging the company has generated profits from products that infringe upon its trademarks. The implicated products are reported to relate to popular media franchises including “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender”.
The suit filed by Viacom, a major global media conglomerate, signifies the latest legal action undertaken to protect their intellectual property rights. Viacom International Inc. owns numerous well-known intellectual properties and its move to litigate accuses the apparel company of profiting from unauthorized use of those properties.
The lawsuit denotes an ongoing trend of intellectual property disputes amid large corporations and smaller scale companies. Details on the exact nature of the alleged infringements are currently unreported. Nonetheless, it serves as a clear reminder of the need for vigilance with regard to the use and handling of third-party intellectual properties, even in product design and manufacturing.