IP Law Daily, TRADEMARK NEWS: Toymaker Ty sues Pop Mart, alleging ‘Beanie’ trademark infringement, (Jan 16, 2026)

By Steven Melendez

Ty, maker of Beanie Babies, says toy and collectible store Pop Mart is selling unauthorized products with “Beanie” in the name.

TY INC. (“Ty”), the plush toy company which holds trademarks including BEANIES and BEANIE BABIES, sued Pop Mart Americas Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleging trademark infringement in the sale of unauthorized “Beanie” toys (TY INC. v. Pop Mart Americas Inc., No. 1:26-cv-00463 (N.D. Ill. filed Jan. 15, 2026)).

Ty’s registered trademarks for its plush toys include BEANIES, BEANIE BABIES, BEANIE BOOS, BEANIE BELLIES, and BEANIE BOUNCERS, and the company said in a complaint filed in the case that its BEANIES, BEANIE BABIES, and BEANIE BOOS marks have become legally incontestable.

But, Ty alleges, Pop Mart has been selling unauthorized infringing products with “beanie” in the name on its website, on e-commerce platforms including Amazon, and in its brick-and-mortar shops, including Chicago-area stores within the Northern District of Illinois. The products are marketed for children’s use, similar to Ty’s products, according to the complaint.

“Ty is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that Pop Mart’s unauthorized use of the Beanies Marks is intended to trade upon the goodwill and substantial recognition associated with Ty and the Beanies Marks,” according to the complaint.

The alleged unlicensed “beanie” products include the Pucky Beanie Bubble Up Series, Pucky Beanie Fly Babies Series Push Pendant, Pucky Egg Beanie Series products, Pucky Poko’s Adventure Series Figures, Pucky Poko the Beanie Farmer, and Pucky Animal Beanies Series, each of which is pictured in Ty’s complaint.

Cease and desist. On October 30, 2025, Ty sent a letter to Pop Mart informing it of Ty’s trademarks, prior use of the marks, and the alleged infringement, according to the complaint. On November 4, 2025, Ty’s counsel acknowledged receipt of the letter, and on Nov. 10, 2025, “Pop Mart expressed an interest in selling off its remaining inventory of Infringing Products,” according to the complaint.

But Ty alleges Pop Mart continues to advertise and sell its products through a variety of online platforms, including its own Shopify-powered website, Amazon, AliExpress, TikTok Shop, Taobao, and others. The company included images of alleged Pop Mart listings of infringing products on Amazon as an exhibit to the complaint.

Claims for relief. Ty alleges trademark infringement in violation of the federal Lanham Act, false designation of origin and unfair competition under federal law, trademark dilution under federal law, violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, and common law trademark infringement.

The company asked the court to declare the marks “valid and willfully infringed” and to issue a permanent injunction barring further infringement, false designation of goods, or unfair competition. Ty also asked the court to order Pop Mart to file a report within 30 days after the injunction is served explaining how it has complied. Ty also sought an order for an accounting, the disgorgement of any profits from the allegedly infringing goods and asked to be awarded enhanced damages for willful infringement, punitive damages, treble damages, and exemplary damages. The company asked the court to award it costs, fees, and interest.

The Case is No. 1:26-cv-00463.

Attorneys: Brett James Geschke (UB Greensfelder LLP) for TY INC.

Companies: TY INC; Pop Mart Americas Inc.

News: Trademark IllinoisNews