Anagram International, LLC has filed a significant lawsuit targeting a vast network of alleged counterfeiters. The complaint was lodged on February 19, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against various individuals and entities operating under aliases to sell infringing products online. This legal action underscores the challenges faced by companies in protecting their intellectual property rights in the digital age.
The plaintiff, Anagram International, LLC, is a Delaware corporation known for its innovative balloon designs and is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Anagram claims that these defendants have been unlawfully using its copyrighted works to sell counterfeit products through online platforms like Amazon and Walmart.com. The complaint accuses the defendants of violating federal copyright laws by reproducing and distributing Anagram's protected designs without authorization. Anagram asserts that these activities not only infringe upon their copyrights but also harm their brand reputation and consumer trust.
Anagram's complaint details how these defendants allegedly operate under multiple fictitious names to conceal their identities while selling counterfeit goods. According to the lawsuit, this network of counterfeiters uses sophisticated tactics to evade detection and continue their illicit operations. The plaintiff highlights that such activities are detrimental not only to their business but also pose broader risks to consumers and the economy at large.
In seeking relief from the court, Anagram requests both injunctive relief and monetary damages. They aim to stop the defendants from further infringing on their copyrights and seek compensation for actual or statutory damages as determined at trial. Additionally, they request an order requiring online marketplaces to disable accounts associated with these infringing activities.
Representing Anagram in this case are attorneys Matthew A. Werber and Peter Krusiewicz from Nixon Peabody LLP based in Chicago. The case is being presided over by judges at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois under Case No.: 1:25-cv-01737.