Labubu dolls, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and distributed by Pop Mart, have become cult objects among collectors, with some rare editions fetching over $3,000 on the secondary market.
However, their success has also caught the attention of counterfeiters: scam websites, fake dolls, and trademark and design infringements are becoming increasingly widespread.
Andrea Terragni, interviewed on the topic by Business Community, a magazine for entrepreneurs and managers, explained: “There are numerous websites that visually mimic Pop Mart’s official ones, promising exclusive deals or limited editions, with the aim of stealing buyers’ personal and banking data.”
From a legal perspective, protecting the Labubu character is complex: despite trademark, design, and copyright protections, counterfeiters are adopting increasingly sophisticated strategies.
This case is a perfect example of how crucial it is—now more than ever—to safeguard intellectual property rights in order to preserve the commercial value of collectibles. A combination of legal tools and technological innovations is proving ever more necessary to protect both producers and consumers.
