Taking down the Talking Tom thieves: Outfit7 celebrates legal win against Chinese dev

Talking Tom Cat developer Outfit7 has delivered what it claims is a 'forceful message' to developers intent on pushing out counterfeit products, with the firm celebrating victory over Chinese app company NanJing oooo3d.

Outfit7 filed a lawsuit in the US against the company in January 2013 following the discovery NanJing oooo3d was publishing apps that claimed to be sequels to the original Talking Tom and Friends franchise.

The end result? The Chinese developer has been found guilty of "copying the Talking Tom virtual character and look and feel of the globally successful Talking Tom mobile apps", with NanJing oooo3d ordered to pay compensation to Outfit 7 for "the loss of goodwill and significant value suffered to the brand."

"Innovation, unique characters and high-value entertainment are fundamental to the success of our brands," said Outfit7 founder and CEO Samo Login

"We've invested heavily in our research and development to ensure our products are market leaders and, as such, we will do whatever it takes to protect our IP.

"We always have the best interest of our consumers at heart and their protection against counterfeit products that do not comply with either privacy or health and safety regulations is of paramount importance to us."

Outfit7 claims the case represents on the the first lawsuits filed in the US courts against mobile app IP infringement and, perhaps unsurprisingly, it believes it's unlikely to be the last.

The company claims it is now looking to focus on additional areas of IP enforcement, bringing IP protection "heavyweights" Baker & McKenzie on board to represent Outfit7’s products in Greater China.

Indeed, it's companies operating within China – with its rather looser take on IP infringement – that represents the biggest threat to western devs keen to protect their products.

"Offering strategic advice to Outfit7 and its global partners and consumers, Baker & McKenzie will work with local authorities to limit unlawful production and exportation of counterfeit products in China," the firm added in a statement.

"In addition to the litigation case against NanJing oooo3d, Outfit7 is actively cooperating with global app stores including Google Play, iTunes and Window Phone Store, among others in the fight against IP infringement in mobile app space and has successfully removed in excess of 80 counterfeit apps published on such distribution platforms."

[source: Outfit7]