Vietnamese animation studio won legal case on copyright infridgement in Russia

The latest development of the copyright dispute between two animated character sets Wolfoo (Owned by Sconnect Vietnam) and Peppa Pig (Owned by Entertainment One UK Limited in United Kingdom – eOne or EO for short). On November 10, 2022, the judge of the Moscow City Court (Russian Federation) issed a ruling to partially accepted Sconnect Vietnam’s request for the collection of legal fees in the civil case No.3-473/2022. Specifically, the Court will collect from the plaintiff EO and return to defendant Sconnect an amount which they had to pay to participate in the event filed by EO with the Moscow Court in January 2022.

Wolfoo's animated series accumulated 2 billion monthly view globally

This copyright dispute case between EO and Sconnect took place from November 2021, when EO repeatedly copyrighted Wolfoo videos on YouTube. Then, on January 11, 2022, EO filed a lawsuit against Sconnect at the Moscow Court (Russian Federation) alleging: The Wolfoo character set is a remake of the Peppa Pig character set; Illegally posting and disseminating on the Internet derivative works - ie Wolfoo animated videos. EO also asked the Court to protect the exclusive right of Peppa Pig animation character sets in the form of an Injunction against the creation of technical conditions, support for illegal execution, illegal distribution and use the characters of the animated Peppa Pig (including characters Peppa Pig, George Pig, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig) in the form of remade characters Wolfoo, Lucy, Miss Wolf, Mister Wolf, in 2 videos are posted on YouTube.

On June 14, 2022, the Russian Council of Cultural and Artistic Experts, after comparative analysis of the Wolfoo character sets and Peppa Pig character set went to a conclusion that states “The Wolfoo character set is entirely an independent creation and not a remake, derivative version of Peppa Pig character set”. This result affirmed that Wolfoo is an independent intellectual property product in terms of both scientific and technical creativity and legal value.

After the conclusion of the Council of Russian Art Experts, on July 7, 2022, EO filed to withdraw all requests to sue in Russia. On the same day, the Moscow Court issued a decision to terminate the case, and also stated that all parties including EO “are not allowed to claim, sue that Wolfoo is a remake of Peppa Pig”.

A behind the scene look at Sconnect studio's Wolfoo animated series

After EO withdrew its lawsuit, in August 2022, Sconnect filed a counter-suit against EO in the Moscow Court asking EO to compensate for the losses caused by EO as a result of the lawsuit. The Moscow Court heard for 3 sessions, then ruled to partially accept Sconnect’s requests and ordered EO to pay RUB 240,000 to the Russian Court to compensate Wolfoo’s “father”.

Currently, the “father” of two world-famous animation characters is suing each other in the courts of the UK and Vietnam. Specifically, on January 24, 2022, EO filed a lawsuit against Sconnect Vietnam to the High Court in London allegin: Sconnect infringing copyright: Remake Peppa Pig character set: Using Peppa Pig animation art style; using the typical sounds effect of the Peppa Pig;... with a list of 91 Wolfoo videos; Unfair Competition: Confusing that Wolfoo and Peppa Pig are the same creator; Peppa Pig trademark infringement.

On August 19, 2022, Sconnect filed an application to initiate EO to the Hanoi People’s Court. Sconnect accused EO of illegally using the Wolfoo trademark in Peppa Pig videos; at the same time, requesting the Court to consider the ruling forcing EO to stop the acts of trademark infringement, correct information, and publicly apologize.

On September 14, 2022, Sconnect continued to file a lawsuit against EO to the Hanoi People’s Court for the second case. Sconnect sued EO for copyright infringement on animated movies, Wolfoo applied art works; request EO to stop the infringement and compensate for the damage.