Warner Sues Potter Merchandise Store

whimsic SMALLWhimsic Alley is a Los Angeles store that identifies itself closely with the Harry Potter brand – too closely to please Warner Bros. The Los Angeles Times reports the studio has filed suit in U.S. District Court to stop Whimsic Alley from selling merchandise that allegedly infringes on its Harry Potter trademarks. A trial is set for January.

Whimsic Alley.

Whimsic Alley.

Whimsic Alley sells some licensed items, however, much of its inventory is unofficial, evocative of clothing and other objects in the Harry Potter universe. And apparel models on the Whimsic Alley webpage shown in school uniforms and professorial gowns bear a strong resemblance to leading players from the movies.The store also sells merchandise from other franchises like Game of Thrones and Doctor Who.

Warner Bros, and Whimsic Alley have knocked heads before. A similar 2004 lawsuit was settled, with store owner Stanley Goldin agreeing not to display items that featured Harry Potter trademarks — or other “confusingly similar” products — in connection with the sale of merchandise.

Stanley Goldin of Whimsic Alley as featured in Costco Magazine feature in 2006.

Stanley Goldin of Whimsic Alley as featured in a 2006 issue of Costco Magazine.