BRASALIA: An estimated one million counterfeit Peppa Pig toys have been seized by custom officers across Brazil.
Entertainment One Licensing the owner of the Peppa Pig brand has been working closely with authorities and a Brazilian law firm specialising in IP infringement to crack down on the fakes.
By providing relevant Peppa Pig artwork and branding, Brazilian customs were able to identify the counterfeit toys, allowing eOne to start legal procedures to destroy the fake goods.
Numerous hauls arrived in three Brazilian ports via seven separate importers.
These seizures are in addition to a number of successful court injunctions against unauthorized Peppa Pig stage shows in Brazil and Argentina.
“As Peppa has grown in popularity in Brazil and across Latin America, we have seen a rise in the number of attempts to flood the country with fake Peppa toys,” said Andrew Carley, head of gloabal licensing, Entertainment One.
“This was a huge consignment of goods which was enough to supply the entire country and so naturally we are extremely pleased that by working with our law firm and the Brazilian authorities, we have been able to identify and destroy the counterfeit goods.”
Carley believes that the latest sweep sends out a clear message to importers contemplating handling fake goods across the globe.
“We will not tolerate infringement of our IP and we will take the necessary measures to protect the Peppa Pig brand,” he said. “This approach also ensures product adheres to eOne’s strict ethical policies in terms of manufacturing and meets approved international safety standards often found lacking on counterfeit product.”
