Labubu Craze Meets Counterfeit Crackdown

The viral rise of Labubu toys has captured collectors worldwide with their quirky “ugly-cute” charm—but with fame comes fakes. Designed by artist Kasing Lung and produced by Pop Mart, Labubu has become a global sensation, drawing long lines at stores and millions in sales. At the same time, counterfeit dolls and merchandise have flooded markets across Asia, Europe, and beyond, posing not only a threat to Pop Mart’s brand but also a serious safety risk to consumers. Customs seizures in China and the UK this year alone intercepted millions of knockoff items, from blind box figures to cosmetics. To fight back, Pop Mart is deploying a robust intellectual property portfolio—trademarks, copyrights, design rights, and lawsuits worldwide—to protect both its creations and the people who buy them. The Labubu case is a cautionary tale: in today’s viral marketplace, strong IP enforcement is key to keeping collectibles authentic and consumers safe.