News
Bakugan's Spin Master Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Screechers Wild
posted on by Karen Ressler
Canadian toy and media company Spin Master announced on Monday that it has filed suit against Alpha Group US, LLC, Alpha Animation, and Toys Limited, alleging their toy product "Screechers Wild!" infringes on Spin Master's patent for Bakugan toys. The company has filed the proceedings in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Spin Master is claiming Screechers Wild! infringes on its worldwide patent for the magnetic transformation feature in Bakugan toys. Spin Master is seeking injunctions against continued sales and claims for additional damages based upon ongoing sales.
Alpha Group responded to say that it will continue to fully support the launch of Screechers Wild!, and is planning to release new products and animation in 2018 and 2019. According to the company's press release, "it will not be deterred by Spin Master's allegations of patent infringement."
Spin Master noted in its press release that it has also filed separate patent infringement claims in China against Guangzhou Lingdong Creative Culture Technology Co., Ltd. for its "Eonster Hunter" toys.
The Bakugan franchise is based on Spin Master and Sega Toys' combination of metal cards and marble-like magnetic toys that automatically transform into figures during gameplay. The franchise has been a bestseller in North America, and it won honors at Toy Fair's annual Toy of the Year Awards in 2009. Spin Master is planning a franchise revival with a television series in 2018 or 2019.
America's Cartoon Network began showing the first Bakugan Battle Brawlers anime series in February of 2008. It was followed by three sequel television series — Bakugan Battle Brawlers: New Vestroia, Bakugan Gundalian Invaders, and Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge — the last of which premiered in Canada and the United States in 2011. Baku Tech! Bakugan Gachi, a spinoff series adapting a manga by SHINGO, premiered in Japan in 2013.
Alpha Group U.S. is the American subsidiary of Chinese toy and entertainment company Guangdong Alpha Animation and Culture Co., and Screechers Wild! is based on the Chinese toy franchise Opti Morphs. Both Opti Morphs and Screechers Wild! feature vehicles that transform into animals. While there is already a Chinese animated series for Opti Morphs, Alpha Group has been releasing unrelated new animated shorts for Screechers Wild!.
[Via Toy Barn]
Thanks to I Miss Bionix for the news tip.
