TV Tokyo Wins Illinois Case in Counterfeit Naruto Products Case – Here Are the Details

TV Tokyo Emerges Victorious in Illinois Lawsuit Over Counterfeit Naruto Merchandise

In a significant legal victory, TV Tokyo Corporation has secured a favorable ruling in a trademark infringement case involving the sale of counterfeit Naruto merchandise. The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued the judgment in favor of TV Tokyo on December 18, 2023, bringing an end to the lawsuit against multiple online retailers accused of trademark infringement, counterfeiting, false designation of origin, and violating trade practices.

The lawsuit, initiated on September 29, targeted various online merchants operating from foreign jurisdictions, including the People’s Republic of China. These merchants were accused of conducting business that specifically targeted the United States through their commercial websites and online marketplaces.

TV Tokyo streamlined its claims against 301 online merchants using a “Schedule A” filing, presenting a single complaint against all defendants. When none of the 301 defendants responded or participated in the case, the court issued a default judgment against them. The judgment ordered domain name registries and registrars, including VeriSign, Inc., Neustar, Inc., GoDaddy Operating Company LLC, and Name.com, to deactivate the defendants’ domain names. Each defendant was directed to cease the use of Naruto trademarks and pay TV Tokyo US$50,000.

Furthermore, major online platforms Amazon and Walmart were instructed to disable the accounts linked to the sale of counterfeit Naruto goods.

Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto in 1999, became an immensely popular anime series that ran from 2002 to 2017, spanning both Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden. The franchise follows the journey of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja aspiring to become the Hokage, the leader of his village. With its widespread popularity, Naruto has evolved into a substantial merchandise-affiliated franchise, making it a prime target for counterfeiters.

Following the conclusion of Naruto, a sequel series titled Boruto: Naruto Next Generations was launched, focusing on Naruto’s son, Boruto. Both Naruto and Boruto are available for streaming on platforms such as Hulu, Crunchyroll, and Prime Video.

This legal victory underscores the commitment to protecting intellectual property rights and combating the sale of counterfeit merchandise associated with beloved anime franchises.

1. What were the specific allegations against the online retailers in the trademark infringement case?
   • The article mentions that the lawsuit included allegations of trademark infringement, counterfeiting, false designation of origin, and violating trade practices. Can you provide more details on the specific claims TV Tokyo made against the online retailers?
2. How did TV Tokyo streamline its claims against the 301 online merchants using the “Schedule A” filing?
   • The article mentions that TV Tokyo used a “Schedule A” filing to streamline claims against 301 online merchants in a single complaint. How does this filing process work, and why did TV Tokyo choose this approach?
3. What consequences were imposed on the 301 online merchants as a result of the default judgment?
   • The article mentions that the court made a default judgment against all 301 online merchants who failed to respond or participate in the case. What consequences were imposed on these merchants, and how does a default judgment typically unfold?
4. Which domain name registries and registrars were involved in the case, and what actions were they ordered to take?
   • The article mentions that domain name registries and registrars, including VeriSign, Inc., Neustar, Inc., GoDaddy Operating Company LLC, and Name.com, were ordered to deactivate the defendants’ domain names. Can you provide more details on the roles these entities played and the actions they were instructed to take?
5. How were major online platforms like Amazon and Walmart implicated in the case, and what actions were ordered against them?
   • The article mentions that major online platforms Amazon and Walmart were ordered to disable the accounts linked to selling counterfeit Naruto goods. How were these platforms implicated in the case, and what specific actions were ordered against them?
6. What is the significance of the Naruto franchise and its impact on anime and manga worldwide?
   • The article briefly mentions the popularity of Naruto as one of the most well-known anime of all time. Can you provide more information on the significance of the Naruto franchise, its cultural impact, and its standing in the anime and manga community?
7. How has the Naruto franchise expanded beyond the original series, particularly with the introduction of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations?
   • The article briefly mentions the sequel series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. Can you provide more details on how the Naruto franchise has expanded, the reception of Boruto, and its current status?
8. What measures can anime and manga creators and companies take to protect their intellectual property from counterfeit merchandise?
   • Given the prevalence of counterfeit merchandise, what steps can anime and manga creators and companies, like TV Tokyo, take to protect their intellectual property and combat the sale of counterfeit goods?

(Source: Anime News Network)