Jazwares claims that rival has created its own pillow-like toys to cash in on its viral success
The company behind Squishmallows, the squidgy pillows-with-a-face that count Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian among their fans, has filed a lawsuit against Build-A-Bear over claims it has produced a “knock-off” to cash in on its success.
Jazwares, which Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway acquired two years ago as Squishmallows became a global TikTok sensation, said that Build-A-Bear Workshop’s new Skoosherz toys look too similar to its own plush, huggable toy.
Build-A-Bear, which launched the Skoosherz line last month in the run-up to Valentine’s Day, struck back immediately with its own legal action claiming that its £18 cuddly pillow-like toys-with-faces are an extension of its existing animal range.
There were almost certainly happy face pillows during the 1970s happy face craze.
I’ve tried searching, but every search term I’ve tried comes up with modern pillows with a retro look to them.
But if there weren’t happy face pillows back then, I honestly would be very surprised.
I mean theres this https://www.pinterest.com/pin/355643701821790428/
I would say the McDonald’s Fry Guy pillow below that one is closer to a Squishmallow, at least aesthetically. I suppose they could argue that they aren’t the sort of soft and squishy pillow that Squishmallow is, but like I said, there are tons of Squishmallow knock-offs. Walmarts are full of them.
I mean Disney makes them.