The "Minions"—with their big, adorable eyes—are iconic cartoon characters from Universal Pictures' Despicable Me film series. Their capsule-shaped bodies, blue overalls, and expressive eyes have captivated global audiences, earning them a massive fanbase worldwide.

First Instance Trial

The Suzhou Intermediate People's Court heard the case. The defendant, Cangzhou Qianchixue Food Co., Ltd., argued:
1.The "Minions" lacked originality, and Universal Brand Development only held usage rights—not copyright.
2.The accused product was a beverage, significantly different from Universal's work, and thus did not constitute infringement.

The other two defendants—Wangzai Beverage (Guangzhou) Group Co., Ltd. and Guangdong Tainiu Vitamin Beverage Co., Ltd.—jointly claimed:
As trademark licensors of the accused product, they had not engaged in any copying or usage of the "Minions" image and thus had not infringed the plaintiff's rights.

The court rejected all defenses.

Court Ruling

The Suzhou court ruled:
1.The "Minions" design possesses unique artistic value and qualifies as a protected work under copyright law. While the accused beverage's image had minor alterations, it replicated the core features of the "Minions," constituting substantial similarity.
2.Cangzhou Qianchixue directly infringed on reproduction and distribution rights. Wangzai Group and Tainiu, closely collaborating with the infringer, were jointly liable.

Maximum Punitive Damages: A Strong Deterrent

The court emphasized that punitive damages were warranted due to:
The "Minions'" global fame and immense commercial value.
The large-scale, malicious infringement by Cangzhou Qianchixue and others.
The clear intent to profit from the infringement.

The court ordered the primary infringer to pay 5 million yuan in joint damages, issue a public apology, and cease all infringing activities immediately.
This landmark ruling not only demonstrates China's judicial commitment to protecting internationally renowned IP but also sends a clear message: malicious infringement will face severe consequences. It sets a precedent for regulating derivative markets and safeguarding innovation.