Key facts
- Jellycat has filed a copyright claim against Home Bargains' parent company, TJ Morris.
- The toymaker alleges that Home Bargains is copying its trademark stuffed doll designs.
- This legal action follows similar claims filed by Jellycat against other retailers including Morrisons, Next, Hamleys, and Aldi.
- Jellycat's designs include traditional animals as well as more unusual items like teapots and avocados.
- The company reported £334m in revenue and £139m in pre-tax profit for the year ending December 2024.
Jellycat, a toymaker that has gained significant popularity with Gen-Z shoppers, has initiated a copyright claim against discount retailer Home Bargains. The company alleges that Home Bargains is infringing on its designs by selling plush toys that closely resemble Jellycat's trademark products.
The legal action was filed with the Patents Court against TJ Morris, the parent company of Home Bargains. This move is part of a broader strategy by Jellycat to protect its intellectual property, as the company has pursued similar lawsuits against other retailers this year, including Morrisons, Next, and Hamleys. Jellycat's first copyright suit was filed against Aldi in June 2024.
Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have seen millions of views on videos highlighting alleged "dupe" Jellycat products available at Home Bargains, featuring items such as doughnuts, pancakes, and matcha latte plushies. Jellycat, founded in London in 1999 by brothers Thomas and William Gatacre, is known for its whimsical plush toys that range from traditional animals to more unconventional items like teapots and avocados.
In the year to December 2024, Jellycat generated £334 million in revenue and reported a pre-tax profit of £139 million. A spokesperson for Jellycat stated that the company is protective of its designs and the creativity put into each character, but declined to comment further on the ongoing legal actions. TJ Morris has declined to comment, and Online Home Shop, against which Jellycat also filed a patent claim last week, did not respond to requests for comment.