Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The viral popularity of Labubu, a character created by Hong Kong-born Belgian artist Kasing Lung, has sparked a wave of unauthorized food products featuring its character. In response, Pop Mart, the company that holds the intellectual property (IP) rights to Labubu, announced plans to take legal action to protect its brand.
Labubu is part of “The Monsters” collection, a series of collectible toys inspired by European Nordic folklore. Produced by Pop Mart, the Labubu figurine, priced in the hundreds of dollars, has gained a massive popularity not only in Indonesia but also in China, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
The character’s global appeal has led to widespread use in unauthorized merchandise, particularly food items, including cakes and buns shaped like Labubu. While the products have drawn significant attention, they infringe on Pop Mart’s IP rights.
“We are aware that many food vendors have launched Labubu-themed products particularly in Singapore,” said Kevin Zhang, a representative from Pop Mart International, as cited from The Straits Times on Monday November 25.
Zhang emphasized that no restaurants, cafes, or food sellers have obtained the necessary licensing agreements to use Labubu or any other characters from “The Monsters” series.
“Pop Mart will take the necessary actions to halt unauthorized use of Labubu and other characters to protect the interests of both the artists and our company,” Zhang stated. He added that failing to act could harm the Pop Mart brand, especially if licensed partnerships are undermined by unlicensed competitors.
Unauthorized Products
One instance of the incident happen in a bakery in Singapore, Ji Xiang introduced Labubu-themed cakes In September, receiving an overwhelming response and order. However, after learning of Pop Mart’s impending legal action, the bakery ceased production and issued refunds for pre-orders.
“Our goal was purely marketing, not profit, and we plans on contact pop mart regarding the license permit for using the character” said Kelvin Toh, Ji Xiang’s owner. Toh expressed plans to contact Pop Mart to explore licensing options for future collaborations.
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Similarly, Peony Jade restaurant, which sold chocolate-filled buns shaped like Zimomo, another character from The Monsters, stopped sales and refunded customers after being informed of potential legal consequences.
Tris Xavier, a legal expert from Yuen Law, noted that Pop Mart could pursue legal action under Singapore’s Trade Marks Act. Unauthorized use of protected characters for commercial purposes violates trademark laws, making food vendors liable for damages.
Kevin Zhang reiterated that taking legal measures is essential to maintain Pop Mart’s reputation and secure its partnerships.
“For instance, if a restaurant is willing to pay for a licensing agreement, it would be unfair for them to compete with unlicensed vendors using the same characters. Protecting our IP ensures a fair and sustainable ecosystem,” Zhang explained.
As Labubu’s cultural footprint grows, Pop Mart’s swift action highlights the increasing importance of safeguarding intellectual property in the age of viral trends.
(Raidi/Agung)
