‘Sylvanian Families' toy firm in settlement talks with Kildare TikTok star over parody videos featuring Japanese company's dolls

Irish Independent

13-07-2025

In April, Thea Von Engelbrechten, the Co Kildare-based content creator behind the SylvanianDrama account, was sued in the US by Japanese toy giant Epoch Company, which developed the Sylvanian Families dolls in 1985.
In the lawsuit, Epoch accused Von Engelbrechten, who is in her early 20s, of copyright infringement and 'creating, publishing, and disseminating online advertising videos' using the dolls without Epoch's permission. The toymaker claims SylvanianDrama, which has 2.5 million followers on TikTok, of advertising household name brands including Marc Jacobs, Burberry, and Hilton Hotels.
However, lawyers for Epoch recently claimed both parties were 'actively engaged in settlement discussions'. The detail was included in a filing asking the US court to extend deadlines in the case.
'The parties will be in a better position to address the legal and factual issues, including Ms Von Engelbrechten's defences in the case after Ms Von Engelbrechten files an answer,' the filing said.
The filing asks the court to extend the deadline for Ms Von Engelbrechten's answers to August 8. Epoch proposed an initial pretrial conference on a date between September 2 and 5.
Last Monday, the court adopted the parties' deadline for Von Engelbrechten's answer, but set the initial pretrial conference to August 14.
The SylvanianDrama page, which also has one million followers on Instagram, publishes short-form videos using Sylvanian Families dolls.
The videos involve the doll characters in fictional comedic storylines aimed at adults, with some referencing drugs and violence.
In its original court complaint, Epoch claimed that Von Engelbrechten could continue to 'cause irreparable injury' to Epoch's 'reputation' through the social media account.#
Epoch also claimed the SylvanianDrama videos could confuse potential purchasers of Sylvanian Families toys. The group alleged purchasers may form the false impression the adverts were produced, authorised or endorsed by Epoch.
Epoch is seeking a court order declaring Von Engelbrechten had infringed copyright, had committed acts of false endorsement and to stop her from allegedly further infringing Epoch's copyright using the dolls. It is also seeking damages.