Kiwi toy maker Zuru in legal fight with Lego over figurines

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

Zuru Toys is facing another American court battle, this time with Danish toy giant Lego over allegations the Kiwi toy maker copied its designs.

Last month a Texan court awarded Zuru US$29 million (NZ$42.8m) after it found US toy company Telebrands infringed on its patented water-balloon filling toy.

But Zuru continues to fight another legal battle, this time over allegations of 'wilfully and maliciously' infringing on Lego's copyrights, trademarks and patents at the Connecticut District Court. Lego has accused Zuru of infringing on seven counts.

Lego launched its Minifigurines in 1978 and has sold more than 120 million of them in the United States.

The toys Lego has accused Zuru of copying include its Minifigurines, Friends figurines and block tape.

Lego has accused Zuru of copying its Minifigurines, Friends figurines and block tape.

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Lego alleges Zuru's Max Build More and Mayka Toy Block Tape and its imagery were copied from its own products.

Lego launched Minifigurines in 1978. More than 120 million Minifigure figurines have been sold in the United States.

Lego said because the company was so popular and well recognised that it attracted 'competitors who attempt to capitalise on the Lego Group's success by copying its innovations and products and preying on the vulnerability of youthful consuming population, instead of developing their own product lines'.

Zuru has been contacted for comment.

In December the US court also granted Lego an emergency restraining order against Zuru's sales of the Max Build toys until the infringement lawsuit was completed.

Lego said Zuru's Max Build figurines were 'confusingly, strikingly and substantially' similar to its own product.

Zuru was founded by Cambridge siblings Nick, Mat and Anna Mowbray in their parent's shed in 2004.

Last year Nick Mowbray, the co-founder of Zuru, was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year.

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A post shared by Nick Mowbray (@nickmowbrayzuru) on Sep 14, 2018 at 1:59am PDT

Zuru has been criticised for some of its toys including the Bunch O Balloons for its use of plastic.

Zuru employs more than 5000 staff in 18 offices around the world and sold in 121 countries.