The designer toy scene just got a whole lot messier. Pop Mart, the Chinese toy titan behind the viral fantasy creature Labubu, has filed a massive lawsuit against 7-Eleven and eight of its California franchise stores. The reason? Allegedly peddling bootleg versions of the nine-toothed, bunny-eared sensation.
Wang Ning becomes China’s youngest top billionaire as Labubu dolls go from blind box toys to global collectibles in celebrity circles | Credit: X/labubuababy
The cult of Labubu faces a legal battle
According to legal documents filed in the U.S. District Court in California, Pop Mart claims the counterfeit toys sold by 7-Eleven look almost identical to the real deal, right down to the packaging. But here’s the kicker: Pop Mart says these fakes are low quality and damaging to their meticulously curated brand.
Pop Mart sues 7-Eleven for selling fake Labubu toys | Credit: Pop Mart, 7-Eleven
Labubu is not just a toy at this point
For the uninitiated, Labubu is not your average plushie. It is part of Pop Mart’s wildly successful The Monsters line, and fans treat it like a cross between high fashion and art. Think of it as the Hermès of the designer toy world.
Where can you get the viral creepy Labubu doll in India? | Credit: Instagram/lalalalisa_m
Pop Mart is not playing around. It flexed its intellectual property muscles in court, showing off an extensive portfolio of trademarks, copyright registrations, and even trade dress protections. Everything from Labubu’s sharp little teeth to its creepy-cute eyes and four-fingered hands is protected.
The company argues that consumers now associate Labubu’s iconic look directly with Pop Mart, thanks to years of viral marketing, influencer unboxings, and hardcore fan hype.
Where can you get the viral creepy Labubu doll in India? } Credit: X/pampurins
7-Eleven in hot water because of a Labubu
Pop Mart dropped the bombshell that 7-Eleven is not even authorised to sell its toys. The complaint claims the convenience store chain, known more for Slurpees than art toys, should be held accountable for allowing knockoff Labubus to sneak onto shelves.
Even though 7-Eleven franchises operate semi-independently, Pop Mart says the corporate giant still pulls enough strings to be legally responsible.
Labubu doll craze Chinese fund manager who drops liquor stocks to ride Gen Z’s emotional spending wave | Credit: X/labubusera
Legal drama around a Labubu, here’s why this matters!
This legal showdown is not just about one toy. It is a bigger moment for the entire designer toy scene, which is becoming increasingly luxe. Pop Mart’s rise mirrors that of streetwear and hype fashion brands, and now it is dealing with the same copycat problems. If the lawsuit succeeds, it could set new standards for how collectibles are protected, marketed, and sold.
Pop Mart wants monetary damages and a full stop to fake Labubus infiltrating the shelves. Because when your toy sells for four figures on the resale market, authenticity is everything.
