Vietnam’s ‘Wolfoo’ howls foul at UK’s ‘Peppa Pig’

By Huong Dung
Wed, August 31, 2022 | 7:28 pm GMT+7

Vietnamese firm Sconnect, which runs several YouTube channels for young children including the “Wolfoo” franchise, has sued UK-based owners of the “Peppa Pig" character set, for intellectual property (IP) infringement.

“Wolfoo” which features animated videos about a cartoon wolf and his anthropomorphic friends made debut in 2018. Photo courtesy by Justice newspaper.

“Wolfoo” which features animated videos about a cartoon wolf and his anthropomorphic friends made debut in 2018. Photo courtesy by Justice newspaper.

The 450-episode Peppa Pig revolves around Peppa, a sweet but cheeky anthropomorphic female piglet and her family and peers. First aired in 2008, the animated television series is available in a number of European countries and the UK. Its trademark has been registered only in Europe and the UK.

“Wolfoo” which features animated videos about a cartoon wolf and his anthropomorphic friends made its debut in 2018. About 2,500 videos have been produced so far, translated into 17 languages and released on YouTube, social networks, television and other online platforms in many countries.

It has been registered for brand protection in Vietnam, the U.S and Russia and recognized in all 181 member countries of the Berne Convention, an international agreement adopted in 1886 to deal with the protection of works and rights of their authors. Vietnam joined the convention in October 2004.

Sconnect’s lawsuit against the two London-based firms, Entertainment One UK Ltd. and Astley Baker Davies Ltd., commonly known as EO, has been filed in the Hanoi People’s Court. It accuses EO of illegally using the “Wolfoo” trademark in “Peppa Pig” videos, violating the Vietnamese Intellectual Property Law.

The company wants the court to issue a ruling asking EO to stop the trademark infringement and publicly apologize for its violation in three international newspapers.

Sconnect had submitted a complaint in March to the Vietnam Competition Authority over EO’s unfair competition practices, violating the nation’s Law on Competition.

The Vietnamese firm, which boasts more than 130 million followers across its YouTube channels and social network accounts, said EO had provided unconfirmed information to Sconnect’s partners, damaging the reputation and honor of the firm as well as its “Wolfoo” character set.

EO has also used many tricks to disrupt and suspend Sconnect's business in the digital environment, leading to significant economic losses, estimated at $300,000, to the Vietnamese studio, the firm asserts.

Sconnect has stated that it will also file a suit against EO in September for impersonating the owner of the “Wolfoo” character set and using technical measures to illegally circumvent its IP rights. The acts have violated the Intellectual Property Law.

It was EO that fueled the IP dispute with Sconnect in Russia, alleging that “Wolfoo” was a remake of “Peppa Pig.” However, during proceedings at the Court of Moscow, Sconnect presented legal evidence and documents testifying to its IP rights to the “Wolfoo” character set and the cartoon.

EO had to withdraw its suit on July 7 after Russian literature and art experts concluded that the EO experts whose opinions had been pooled for the case did not have enough capability to evaluate and the content of their assessments are beyond their authority. The lawsuit documents and expert opinions that EO had previously sent to the court, therefore, violated relevant Russian Laws, they said.

The Russian experts also affirmed that the “Wolfoo” character set was not a “reworked” version of “Peppa Pig”.

The same day, the Court of Moscow officially terminated the civil proceedings, saying EO cannot file a claim with the same accusation against Sconnect in the future.

Sconnect then filed a lawsuit against EO with the Moscow court for compensation.

In a related development, EO filed a lawsuit against Sconnect with the UK High Court in February, which has not been accepted yet. However, EO still went ahead and claimed copyright for “Wolfoo” videos. Furthermore, YouTube accepted it, resulting in significant economic losses for Sconnect, it claimed.

Sconnect is a Vietnamese digital content enterprise that has produced cartoons for children since 2014. Apart from “Wolfoo”, Sconnect has developed other animated character sets such as WOA Fairy Tales, Max's Puppy Dog, Tiny - Clay Mixer and WOA Luka.

Tubefilter, a widely-read source for YouTube and online video news, says the “Wolfoo” channel attracts more than 50 million followers and 2 billion views each month, and has reached 30 billion views since its release. It has been named repeatedly in the top 50 YouTube channels with the most views.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Vietnam’s energy firm identifies 3 emissions violations among Vietnamese enterprises

Vietnam’s energy firm identifies 3 emissions violations among Vietnamese enterprises

Looking ahead, 2030 is a milestone year, as major global brands such as Unilever, Nestlé, H&M, and Nike have committed to cutting Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 50-65%, said Pham Dang An, CEO of Vu Phong Energy Group, a major developer of clean energy in Vietnam.

Companies - Sat, June 7, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Deal acquiring financial firm of Vietnam's SeABank invalid: Aeon Financial

Deal acquiring financial firm of Vietnam's SeABank invalid: Aeon Financial

Aeon Financial Service Co., Ltd. on Friday stated that its deal to purchase a financial company owned by Vietnam's SeABank is invalid due to "inappropriate accounting transactions."

Finance - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 11:57 pm GMT+7

VSAP LAB to build $69 mln chip packaging tech laboratory in central Vietnam

VSAP LAB to build $69 mln chip packaging tech laboratory in central Vietnam

Vietnamese private firm VSAP LAB JSC has been approved as the investor of a VND1.8 trillion ($69.11 million) advanced packaging technology laboratory project that will assist semiconductor production in the central city of Danang.

Industries - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 8:11 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's major property developer Hoang Huy successfully raises $30.7 mln from parent company

Vietnam's major property developer Hoang Huy successfully raises $30.7 mln from parent company

Hoang Huy Investment Services JSC (HoSE: HHS) has successfully issued 64 million shares for VND800 billion ($30.7 million) via private placement to its parent company – Hoang Huy Financial Services Investment JSC (TCH).

Companies - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 3:32 pm GMT+7

Subsidiaries, affiliates likely not to enjoy preferential corporate income tax in Vietnam

Subsidiaries, affiliates likely not to enjoy preferential corporate income tax in Vietnam

Subsidiaries and affiliates of enterprises in Vietnam might not be eligible for preferential corporate income tax (CIT) rates of 15-17%, in order to prevent abuse of incentives like splitting income for tax avoidance, according to the Financial and Economic Committee under the National Assembly, the country's legislature.

Finance - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 3:22 pm GMT+7

VPS Securities JSC named Vietnam’s best broker again by The Asset

VPS Securities JSC named Vietnam’s best broker again by The Asset

VPS Securities JSC (VPS) has once again been honored as the “Best Brokerage House in Vietnam” at the Triple A Awards 2025, presented by The Asset, a leading Asia-focused financial publication.

Companies - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 11:40 am GMT+7

Vietnam's agri major BAF eyes two 6-story buildings for pig farming in southern Vietnam

Vietnam's agri major BAF eyes two 6-story buildings for pig farming in southern Vietnam

BAF Vietnam Agriculture JSC has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to develop a smart pig farming complex including two six-story buildings in the southern provinces of Tay Ninh and Binh Phuoc.

Industries - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 11:20 am GMT+7

Food major Kido leaders reveal real estate ambitions

Food major Kido leaders reveal real estate ambitions

Leaders of Kido Group, a leading Vietnamese food and cooking oil producer, said they see many positive policies that are helping to ease real estate market difficulties and create favorable conditions for the company to develop projects on its land reserves.

Real Estate - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 11:03 am GMT+7

Indonesia accelerates procedures to join OECD

Indonesia accelerates procedures to join OECD

The Indonesian Government has finalised the preparation of the Initial Memorandum (IM) for its accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which will be submitted to OECD Secretary-General Matthias Cormann in Paris, France.

Southeast Asia - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 10:16 am GMT+7

OECD lowers Indonesia's growth forecast to 4.7%

OECD lowers Indonesia's growth forecast to 4.7%

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has lowered its forecast for Indonesia's economic growth down to 4.7% this year, from the previous 4.9%, due to weakened domestic sentiment and heightened external risks.

Southeast Asia - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 10:15 am GMT+7

Vietnam, US sign additional agricultural trade deals worth over $600 mln

Vietnam, US sign additional agricultural trade deals worth over $600 mln

Vietnam and the U.S. on Wednesday signed MoUs on importing animal feed materials from Ohio state with total value exceeding $600 million.

Economy - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 10:03 am GMT+7

My Thuy deepwater port to become central Vietnam logistics hub

My Thuy deepwater port to become central Vietnam logistics hub

My Thuy Deepwater Port, once operational, will not only create a new growth pole for the central province of Quang Tri and serve as a gateway to the East Sea, but also become a regional logistics hub.

Infrastructure - Fri, June 6, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Vietnam's 5-month registered FDI hits $18.4 bln, up 51%

Vietnam's 5-month registered FDI hits $18.4 bln, up 51%

Registered foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam hit $18.4 billion in the first five months of the year, up 51.1%, while disbursed capital reached $8.9 billion, up 7.9%.

Economy - Thu, June 5, 2025 | 6:52 pm GMT+7

Indonesia launches economic stimulus package to boost purchasing power

Indonesia launches economic stimulus package to boost purchasing power

The Indonesian Government has rolled out an economic stimulus package worth IDR24.44 trillion (nearly $1.53 billion) to maintain consumer purchasing power and stabilize the national economy.

Southeast Asia - Thu, June 5, 2025 | 4:06 pm GMT+7

Vinhomes subsidiary to develop two industrial parks worth $383 mln in northern Vietnam

Vinhomes subsidiary to develop two industrial parks worth $383 mln in northern Vietnam

Vinhomes Hai Phong Industrial Park Investment JSC under Vinhomes, the housing arm of Vietnam’s conglomerate Vingroup (HoSE: VIC), is expected to be the investor of two industrial parks worth VND10 trillion ($383 million) in the northern port city of Hai Phong.

Real Estate - Thu, June 5, 2025 | 3:54 pm GMT+7

Agriculture drives Indonesia’s economic growth

Agriculture drives Indonesia’s economic growth

Agriculture is emerging as a key driver of Indonesia’s economic growth, especially in the first quarter of 2025, according to the latest report by the Indonesian Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF).

Southeast Asia - Thu, June 5, 2025 | 3:46 pm GMT+7