Beanie Babies ready to battle Target

October 14, 11:34 AMChicago Business ExaminerKenneth Zenger

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© Copyright Ty, Inc.

According to Crain's, Ty, Inc. the maker and trademark holder of Beanie Babies has sued Target Corporation for allegedly using its trademark to sell items not made by Ty. Ty filed the lawsuit last Friday in the US District Court for Northen Illinois. The suit accuses Target of trademark infringement, unfair competition, and deceptive trade practices.

The suit was filed after Ty discovered a "Hello Kitty Plush Beanie" doll being sold for $6.99 at a Target store in Wood Dale a Northwest Suburb of Chicago. The suit said "Target's use of Ty's trademark or marks confusingly similar thereto in connection with plush toys not manufactured or sold by Ty and in the advertising and marketing thereof has caused and will continue to cause dilution of the distinctive quality of Ty's famous trademarks.

Ty had initially warned Target in early September of the misused after the company had discovered the shelf tag for the "Hello Kitty Plush Beanie." According to the Crain's report Ty was initially told that Target was invesigating the claim and it was unclear if similar shelf tags were used in other Target stores. Ty demanded Target cease and desist the misuse of their trademark and claims that is has not recieved a response at this time.

For more information visit: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=35784, http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Beanie-Babies-Ty-Sues-Target-64213482.html, www.ty.com, www.target.com