Gen-Z toymaker Jellycat pursues Home Bargains in latest copyright claim

Jellycat, a British toymaker known for its whimsical stuffed dolls, has filed a copyright claim against Home Bargains, a discount retailer, amid a series of legal disputes with other retailers. The company, founded in London in 1999 by brothers Thomas and William Gatacre, has seen a surge in popularity among Gen-Z shoppers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Jellycat's range of dolls includes traditional animals and more unusual items such as teapots and avocados.

Recent social media videos featuring Jellycat products available at Home Bargains have garnered millions of views, leading to the company's latest copyright claim against TJ Morris, Home Bargains' parent company. This is not the first time Jellycat has taken legal action against retailers it claims are copying its designs. In recent months, the toymaker has filed similar claims against Morrisons, Next, and Hamleys, as well as its first suit against discount grocer Aldi in June 2024.

A spokesperson for Jellycat expressed the company's dedication to protecting its designs and the joy they bring to its fans, stating that they are protective of their creations and their customers. The company's TikTok account has 2.8 million followers, and its hashtag has garnered over 700,000 posts. In the year ending December 2024, Jellycat generated £334 million in revenue and reported a £139 million pre-tax profit.

The company's founder, Arnaud Meyselle, expressed pride in the positive impact Jellycat has had on its business and the communities it serves.