Police Raid Chinese Toy Factory: Moose Enterprise and Local Police Seize Over 150,000 Counterfeit Shopkins™ Toys in China

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Jul 31, 2015, 08:10 ET

MELBOURNE, Australia, July 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Australia-based toy maker Moose Toys took aggressive action on July 27, 2015 to protect its best-selling Shopkins brand. Together with local Police, Moose's agents raided two Chinese manufacturers located in Yiwu, China. Collectively, over 150,000 counterfeit Shopkins toys were seized by local police. Moose is now assisting the local police in launching a criminal action. This raid is the result of a months-long investigation undertaken by Moose and its Anti Counterfeit & intellectual property USA legal team at Epstein Drangel, LLP.

"Shopkins is a global phenomenon with a passionate fan base. It is critical that we cease any counterfeit activity so that Shopkins fans can be certain they are buying the genuine product," said Paul Solomon, Co-CEO of Moose Enterprise. "Any business, from manufacturer through to retailer, found to be importing, distributing or selling of counterfeit Moose branded products will be aggressively pursued with every legal means necessary."

Moose will continue to closely monitor all illegal manufacturing, importation, distribution and retail sales of their brands.

According to Jason Drangel of Epstein Drangel LLP, "Moose has asked us to aggressively pursue any instances of counterfeit activity occurring globally. We have instructions to take immediate action against all offenders. Moose is very dedicated to the protection of its brands and the toy and lifestyle products that they create and will not tolerate any counterfeit activity that could endanger the safety of a child."

It is not uncommon with very successful toys to encounter counterfeit product in the market, trying to capitalize on the brand's popularity. It can be increasingly challenging for consumers and retailers to know the difference between the real brand and a counterfeit.

Moose encourages any consumers, wholesalers or retailers who are unsure if the product they are being offered to purchase is genuine, to contact [email protected] to seek guidance.

"Our mission to stamp out counterfeiting will continue to operate at full speed, protecting our brands and our customers' rights to buy genuine, safe products," states Paul Solomon.

About Shopkins: The world's biggest tiny toy Awarded: Toy Industry Association's 2015 Girl Toy of the Year, TTPM's Holiday 2014 Most Wanted List, Toy Insider "Hot 20" for 2014, Savvy Auntie Coolest Toy Award 2014 Shopkins is a collectible line of super cute characters inspired by items found in the grocery store and malls. Shopkins inspire imaginations and are fun to collect with over 420 unique characters, such as Betty Boot, Corny Cob, Sippy Sips, Apple Blossom, Pa' Pizza. The line also offers themed playsets such as the So Cool Fridge, Small Mart, Fruit & Vegetable and Bakery Stand. For ages five and up, Shopkins is available at trusted retailers, ranging in price from $2.99 to $19.99. Through several licensing partnerships, consumers can also purchase other Shopkins goods, including girls' apparel and plush toys.

About Moose Toys
Moose Toys is a global toy company with offices in the US, UK, Hong Kong and the head office based in Melbourne, Australia. This award-winning company is known for designing, developing and distributing toy and lifestyle products across the globe for children of all ages and the young at heart. Moose has products in all toy categories including collectibles, arts and crafts, activity toys, dolls, novelty items and outdoor products, and has brought joy to kids worldwide with successful products such as Mighty Beanz, Beados, Aqua Sand and The Trash Pack™. In 2015, Moose expanded several major product lines for boys and girls, including Shopkins™, the hottest girl's collectible line of grocery-themed characters; Little Live Pets, electronic pets that come to life in the palm of your hand; as well as line extensions for Beados craft activity sets. The company also introduced all new brands, such as The Ugglys Pet Shop, the collectibles that are small in size but big in gross; and Qixels, the first "craftstruction" activity that allows kids to create pixelated worlds of monsters, warriors and more. Moose Toys has scored numerous coveted toy awards, including Shopkins Small Mart playset - a 2015 Girls' Toy of the Year winner by the Toy Industry Association. Visit www.moosetoys.com for more information.

SOURCE Moose Toys