Miffy Owner Obtains TRO Against Online Infringers

Dutch company Mercis B.V., owner of the Miffy character rights, obtained a temporary restraining order and asset restraint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against unidentified online marketplace sellers accused of infringing its copyrights and trademarks.

In Mercis B.V. v. The Individuals et al., the court found a likelihood of success on the copyright infringement claim based on U.S. Copyright Registration VA 1-054-563 for "MIFFY." The order, issued following an ex parte application, also grants expedited discovery. The defendants are alleged to have advertised, distributed, and sold infringing products into the United States without authorization.

A hearing on Mercis' request for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for August 19, 2026. The action forms part of broader enforcement efforts by the rights owner against systematic online counterfeiting.

Mercis holds registered copyrights and trademarks for the Miffy character created by Dick Bruna and has pursued similar actions globally to protect the brand.

Sources: https://trademarklawyermagazine.com/miffy-owner-steps-up-us-copyright-enforcement-against-online-marketplace-sellers/ https://trademarklawyermagazine.com/trademark-news/