South Korea’s Supreme Court has rejected a 30 million won damage claim by an American composer who accused a South Korean kids content company of plagiarizing his version of “Baby Shark.”

Just days after the Claire's chain entered Chapter 11, the same fate has hit its British arm as administrators seek a buyer for a mall staple that has lost its sparkle.

Elon Musk says that his artificial intelligence company xAI “will take immediate legal action” against Apple for allegedly manipulating its App Store rankings to the advantage of rival AI apps.

Diamond Comic Distributors and Alliance Game Distributors have continued to operate after Diamond Comic Distributors and related companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January, but not all post-petition invoices were getting paid as they come due.

American consumers could soon feel increasing tariff-related pain with their purchases. That’s according to a report Monday (Aug. 11) from Bloomberg News,

Port of LA handled 1M TEUs in July as importers rushed to beat Trump’s China tariffs, pushing volumes to all-time highs.

Tariff updates from August 12th solidify what need need to know for the next 90 days. Here’s the latest news regarding US ports, the state of freight, and supply chain issues.

A pullback in production earlier this year could lead to toy shortages come the holidays. 

Pudgy Penguins, once on the brink of bankruptcy in 2022, is projected to generate $50 million in revenue by 2025, a dramatic turnaround fueled by its expansion into the toy industry.

According to the data, total U.S. toy imports in June 2025 fell by 31 percent compared to June 2024, driven largely by a 47 percent decline in imports from China.

U.S. toy industry dollar sales increased 6 percent, units sold were up 3 percent, and average selling price (ASP) grew by 3 percent, compared to the same 6-month period in 2024, according to Circana.

The company swung to a $41 million loss in the second quarter and saw sales plummet 22%, but forecasts an upswing in the second half of the year.

President Donald Trump said Monday that gold will not face tariffs, knocking down a ruling by U.S. customs officials that bars of the precious metal imported from Switzerland would face duties.

The consumer price index rose 2.7% in July on an annual basis. There's some evidence tariffs are putting upward pressure on inflation, economists said.

Labubu, blobfish and bulldogs all trigger the same instinct: protect, nurture, adore. Science explains why ‘ugly cute’ is more than just a trend.

Consumers are turning to toys and video games as affordable avenues for nostalgia, comfort, escapism and social connection amidst global challenges and financial strain.

It’s definitely the age of the fan and fandom in licensing these days. Fan culture is a hot topic of discussion, and it’s a market sector that is increasingly well catered for.

While the battle for customer loyalty has well and truly entered the digital age, many organisations are still managing like it’s 1985.

Introducing TIME's Girls of the Year list, featuring young leaders inspiring communities around the world

In a Japanese shop selling pocket-money trinkets, there is a rack of toys, stickers and keyrings based on a global crew of AI-generated characters that almost every child knows about – and very few adults.

Fans swamped the restaurants to collect the cards, with some discarding bags of food after buying, and police called in to mediate disputes.

The online marketplace StockX says sales of Labubus on its platform doubled between January and June of this year, and set sales records in July.

STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and STEAM (adding Arts) is estimated to be a $6B business, accounting for 20-30% of LEGO’s annual sales.

Toy Insider Associate Editor Samantha Connell joined Mornings with Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business to discuss the Labubu toy craze that’s sweeping the world.

Known for its curated mix of rare fashion and standout sneakers, the gallery now adds this sought-after collectible to its cultural cachet, signalling a bold new chapter in designer toy culture.

India’s toy sector shows strong export growth, but must boost domestic production, and attract infrastructure investment to strengthen its role in the labour-intensive global toy market 

10-year-old prodigy WFM Bodhana Sivanandan stunned the nation in the 2025 British Chess Championship, becoming the youngest woman to beat a grandmaster and the youngest-ever to earn the WIM title.

Jason discusses how the company navigates generational shifts in play patterns and how marketing must adapt to serve different audiences across multiple business lines.

No doubt about the biggest story of the week as far as the UK toy community is concerned – the seismic news that the Grant family will be stepping away from the TEAL Group and handing it over to employees in the form of an EOT (Employee Ownership Trust).

The roughly 5.5-inch-long eastern box turtles “are one of the most commonly seen turtles in the wild’’ but also have become protected and even endangered in some states because of habitat loss.

AOL dial-up is ending on September 30th according to a statement posted on the company’s website. It marks the end of the service that was synonymous with the internet for many since its launch in 1991. 

The incident took place early on Wednesday morning at a store in La Puente, a city about 29km (18 miles) east of Los Angeles, the LA County Sheriff’s Department said.

The collectible items have recently surged in popularity. The Labubus were stolen in a series of trips that spanned multiple days, the Chino police department said in a social media post.

“For the fashionable girl on the go.”

Mattel’s 1983 product catalogue, Mattel Delivers, captures the company at a crossroads, riding high on blockbuster brands like Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Masters of the Universe while wrestling with steep losses from its Electronics division.

Six intriguing articles related to toys, games, and nostalgia that have hit the news this week.

Watch Dave from Lucky Penny Shop demonstrate how to use the Add-A-Count toy from Child Guidance.

Released in 1998 from Trendmasters, the Lost in Space Jupiter II playset propelled imagination to new heights by bringing the iconic television spacecraft to life with lights, sounds, and detailed features.

Woody's journey from being the cherished leader of Andy's toys to an adaptable figure embracing new purposes stands as a testament to the character's remarkable development and the profound themes he embodies.

Tin toys were cultural touchstones. For children born in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, toys like the ubiquitous wind-up hopping green tin frog were like old friends.

Emphasising the brand’s commitment to expanding its collection of licensed partnerships embedded in pop culture, this collection – made in collaboration...

The report highlights revenue growth, category shifts, and the rising share of licensed toys in the global market.

Pokemon reveals and then releases its new Squishmallows two designs at a time, and it has just shown off the next two additions to its growing collection for the first time.

Revealed with little fanfare on Fandango, KPop Demon Hunters will pop up in select Regal Theaters on Aug. 23 and 24 for a "sing-a-Long" version.

The trailer for One Piece season 2 debuted during One Piece Day 2025, where it showcased returning cast members, Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy), Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu), Nami (Emily Rudd), Usopp (Jacob Romero Gibson), and Sanji (Taz Skylar) facing off against the secret Baroque Works organization.

Marvel's Luke Cage and Iron Fist producer Ian Stokes is set to join Percy Jackson and the Olympians writer Joe Tracz as co-showrunner after original showrunner Matt Owen stepped down earlier this year.

Beginning later this year, passengers will be able to enjoy a specially curated selection of Crunchyroll anime as the airline's in-flight entertainment.

Like Rick and Morty, Haunted Hotel mixes family-sitcom chestnuts like school projects, house parties, and dating with much wilder plots including possession, slashers, and tentacled monsters.

The Legend of Zelda movie is still a ways away as the action won’t unfold in cinemas until 2027, however that hasn’t stopped the marketing kicking off with Nintendo opening an official X account.

Gunn didn't disclose what the movie would be about or who might be in it, but said it would be going into production soon.

According to a new report from Deadline, a regime change at Paramount has only made Top Gun 3 a bigger “priority” and accelerated its development.

15 new Numberblocks episodes will premiere on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer, introducing more advanced mathematical concepts and ambitious new creative formats.

LW Entertainment could inspire a whole new generation of theater kids as it considers an anime treatment for The Phantom of the Opera.

The selection will include reformatted comics as well as new ones developed specifically for the vertical-scroll format.

In this sunny cartoon episode, Snowy and his friends, Tobu, Flurry, Pep, and more, head to the beach for a day full of splashing, surfboarding, and building sandcastles.

The broadcaster is capitalizing on some of its most popular franchises with a slew of new preschool shows, shorts and Mickey renewals.

Designed as an anthology, the show featured a new premise and characters in each season, broadly revolving around a group of teens investigating a spooky mystery in their town.

Moonbug will start rolling out the music-driven educational show The Melon Patch on YouTube next month.

The SPY x FAMILY Character Series Plush Blind Box transforms the hit anime’s most beloved characters into ultra-cute, must-have plush companions for both fans and collectors.

As a leading creator of officially licensed pop culture products, CultureFly will develop and distribute products across retail, e-commerce, and in-game platforms.

New Line's horror pic and Disney's family comedy delivered a double win for the late summer box office, as well as a victory for two challenged genres.

KPop Demon Hunters‘ breakout hit “Golden” has topped the Billboard Hot 100 this week, the latest affirmation of the movie and soundtrack’s global takeover since its release on Netflix back in June.

It will no longer open around the crowded holiday corridor featuring Avengers: Doomsday, Dune: Part III and Ice Age 6, which all open Dec. 18, 2026.

On Acquisitions and the Strategy for Making Them More Successful

In this role, he oversees all aspects of the company’s digital games division, including the Toca Boca and PikNik platforms, which engage 58 million users worldwide.

From niche brand collaborations to large-scale entertainment partnerships, Emma specialises in transforming brand equity into compelling product collections that resonate with consumers and positively disrupt the market.

Fergusson joined the company in March 2020 to oversee and revitalize the Diablo franchise, having previously served as executive VP of development at Irrational Games and studio head at The Coalition.

In his new role, Will Ochoa will lead international sales strategy and execution as the company accelerates global expansion and deepens its presence across key markets.

She is reportedly set to continue steering the unit—but not Nickelodeon Animation—following today's completion of the merger with Skydance.

Caitlin Meek-O'Connor and Mark MacDonald want to help companies crack YouTube.

During his time at Netflix, Simon built and scaled the consumer products division, developing products for Stranger Things, Squid Game, Bridgerton, and many other titles.

And Sony Pictures Entertainment recruits Netflix veteran Ben Buchanan as SVP of worldwide distribution.

POP MART will open its largest UK store at Liverpool ONE in its first move into the city, taking a 6,200 sq ft unit on upper South John Street.

The hit DreamWorks Animation series is popping up with Gabby and the rest of her meow-riffic gang.

Autism in Entertainment – the Southern California-based non-profit organization that promotes gainful employment for and within the neurodivergent community – enjoyed its second command performance at San Diego Comic-Con.

The Toy Association emphasized that toy safety remains the industry’s top priority and highlighted ASTM F963 as a globally recognized, science-based toy safety standard that has been effective for decades.

Taking place on the Friday of Spielwarenmesse, the Game Inventors Convention will showcase games inventors who will be presenting their innovative ideas and prototypes.

Created to fill the void for an East Coast specialty trade show, NETS connects manufacturers, retailers, and now gift vendors, attracting buyers from multiple channels.

With an expanded format, new zones and even more business opportunities, Kids' Time 2026 will return to Targi Kielce from 17th-19th February.

A limited-time pop-up store, Hasbro Hub London will feature fan-favourite brands, immersive activations and the largest selection of Hasbro products in one place when it opens on Saturday.

The location-based experience captures Polly Pocket’s tiny and adorable world where every corner is full of color, magic and nostalgia.

as Click System, with a refresh of the line-up welcoming new additions and offering an improved end-user experience. The main ethos remains unchanged.

The Ulta Beauty at Target shop-in-shop concept will cease next year as both companies shift focus to retail fundamentals.

Executive Board members Florian Hess, Jens Pflüger and Christian Ulrich have had their contracts extended for a further five years.

Goliath will refresh the game with updated packaging and new designs while preserving what made Elefun a staple of 1990s playrooms.

This doll celebrates Williams’ legacy as a champion, not just with her titles but with her fearless, relentless advocacy for pay equality.

The partnership expands the popular animated characters into multi-platform content, consumer products, and new digital experiences.

Home Chef, the leading meal solutions company available online and in stores nationwide, has teamed up with everyone’s favorite little piggy, Peppa Pig, for an oink-tastic four-week collaboration.

VeVe Collectibles provides a dynamic space to discover, collect, and share officially licensed digital collectibles and comics, enhanced by immersive features like augmented reality and a vibrant secondary marketplace.

Gary Grant is transferring 100% ownership of the family-owned business to an employee trust which means staff will get a share of the profits and a say in how the firm is run.

Jellycat’s cut to U.K. stockists sparks backlash from indie retailers, raising questions about brand control, supply issues, and its shift toward premium positioning.

Devir Games has halted sales of its new release Ace of Spades after being called out for using racist and culturally insensitive artwork in the game, calling it "a serious mistake that we recognize and deeply regret".

Each DIY kit transforms delicious foods into detailed slime creations, empowering kids and collectors to style, smash, and stretch their way through endless creative play.

This will be the first single from the brand-new music album, Numberblocks Let's Go!, where children can learn maths while they sing and dance.

Through Icecat’s platform, JouéClub now offers its customers a more intuitive and engaging way to explore toys online.

The Disney Lorcana Store Summit event aimed to support Ravensburger's Hobby Store network with demos, Q&A sessions and insight into the upcoming Collector Starter Set.

The new and highly giftable Swizzels Love Hearts plush tap into major life moments and trending themes (including capybaras), promising something for consumers of all ages.

Mall of America's new store will feature exclusive product offerings, rotating collaborations and a curated retail environment that highlights creativity and collectability.

The six-week dual window takeover will highlight the Care Bears' message of colour, kindness and joy and will be boosted by an in-store character appearance from Cheer Bear.

2025 is on track to be the biggest year yet for the cosplaying ducks, and Tubbz's ambition is to become one of the largest collectible brands in the world.

Across L.O.L. Surprise!, Rainbow High, Little Tikes, Yummiland and MGA’s Miniverse, there is a breadth of new products launching this autumn from MGA Entertainment.

The acquisition will see both Generation Media and Portal Studio continue to operate under their existing names, ensuring continuity for clients while unlocking new opportunities through deeper collaboration.

With this exclusive distribution partnership, The Loyal Subjects will act as the sole distributor of Toy City.

By collaborating with the studio behind the Wallace and Gromit franchise, The LEGO Group will encourage creativity and imagination in kids with a new creative challenge.

This September, players ages 10 and up can get their hands on two LEGO x Nike sets, following the release of the LEGO Nike Dunk Set in July.

Plus, The Loyal Subjects will distribute Toy City collectibles throughout North America and LatAm.

In this game, designed Max Gerchambeau, players pick a team and go full throttle on a track through the Star Wars galaxy.

The set captures the charm of Hogsmeade in winter, with seven iconic buildings recreated in brick form, including the first-ever Lego versions of Zonko’s Joke Shop and the Hog’s Head pub.

Revell has entered the building block arena with its new Brick System range, debuting with an impressive replica of the U-96 submarine.

With three attractive ranges and new designs coming through, XYZ Toys is looking for exclusive distribution partners across the globe.

Premier League icons attended the launch of what Topps has dubbed the most exciting football card collection in its history.  

The Loyal Subjects will serve as exclusive distributor of Chinese toy & collectibles brand Toy City across North America, LATAM and additional territories.

This workforce move is accompanied by broader reorganization plans revealed in an internal memo yesterday.

– the pastel feline spreading affirmations and emotional uplift across the internet – evolves from viral sensation to fast-growing international brand.

The collaboration between Mattel, Inc. and 7-Eleven brings back the thrill of play with the first-ever branded Hot Wheels® die-cast car.

Bandai Namco has provided an update to fans on its X account about its new proprietary game engine and out seems development is currently full steam ahead.

Eurogamer has recently chatted with Tekken 8 director Katsuhiro Harada and asked whether we could see Tekken 8 anytime soon on the Nintendo Switch 2.

UNO Wonder encourages players to explore the world on a cruise adventure through more than 100 bustling cities like Barcelona, Florence, Rome, Santorini, Monte Carlo, and more.

Coming on the heels of The LEGO Group’s latest Bluey building kits, this digital app allows kids ages 2 and up to construct, create, and play with the beloved characters in a whole new way.

Consumers can expect new player-specific traits, authentic play styles, and adaptive counters. 

Toy companies are ready to compete in the video game and mobile gaming space by shifting between internal development, outbound licensing, or a combination of the two. 

New at-home Zumba experience transforms workouts into high-energy dance parties that get the whole family moving

It was revealed alongside a new collection of Mario-themed products designed for kids and toddlers launching in Japan later this month.

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said on X that Fortnite will be made available on iPhones via the Epic Games Store “at a date to be determined,” while the company navigates the complexities of Australia’s antitrust ruling.

Sony described Light of Motiram as a "blatant" and "unlawful" copy of Horizon in the filing and claimed Tencent attempted to license the franchise before unveiling Light of Motiram after that pitch was rebuffed. 

LEGO Party is a four-player party game which sees you compete against your friends in wacky Challenge Zones and 60 hilarious mini-games from across your favourite LEGO sets.

The event takes place from 15th August to 17th August in Anaheim, California. To get a chance to play the demo you’ll need to secure Warp Pass tickets.

Other competitors such as Capcom’s Street Fighter 6 and Bandai Namco’s Tekken 8 have sold five million and three million respectively.

Starting this fall, the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Splatoon 3 games for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch – OLED Model systems will be used for school-organized tournaments and events for grades 4 through 12, reaching over 80,000 elementary, middle, and high school students across 23 states.

Capcom has provided updated sales figures for some of its most popular franchise giving an indication of what’s been flying off store shelves and digital store fronts.

It is not clear what to expect from this year’s event, but hopefully both Mojang and Microsoft have some surprises in store for us such as more Minecraft spin-offs.

This will be the fifth GameCube game included with the service, following The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, SOULCALIBUR II, and the most recent Super Mario Strikers.

SFD is Blizzard's in-house cinematic, animation, and narrative team. It produces trailers, promotional videos, in-game cutscenes, and other narrative content and has now become the first studio of its kind to form a union in the North American game industry. 

North America and Europe make up almost half of game sales, but player counts there have plateaued.

Marshfield, MA (August 1, 2025) – Tytan Magnetic Tiles continue to stand out in a crowded market thanks to their premium quality, environmentally friendly materials, accessible pricing, and standout licensing partnership with Disney. Backed by an official STEM.org certification, these magnetic tiles empower parents to support early learning through hands-on play that builds spatial awareness, geometry skills, and problem-solving. With a recently extended licensing agreement, Tytan is thrilled to continue offering Disney-inspired creativity...

Scammers are exploiting the massive popularity of Labubu collectible toys through fake websites and social media ads, resulting in consumers losing resulting in consumers losing hundreds of dollars.

Indonesia’s education minister says the widely used online game-creation platform could expose children to violence and other harmful behaviours.