Children’s toys ‘My Little Pony’ in font dispute

The toy giant responsible for ‘My Little Pony’, Hasbro, has come under fired and is now involved in a lawsuit for using a typeface without permission on its owner.

Font Brothers, based in Minneapolis, has stated that the manufacturer has not made any contact to obtain a ‘special license’ needed to use the font on its toy packaging.

The font in question is named Generation B described as a ‘playful and offbeat’ font which was originally inspired by fonts used on the opening title of the Disney classic film Parent Trap released in 1961.

Font Brothers has said they approached Hasbro on a number of occasions asking for the appropriate fees which Hasbro has allegedly refused.

The fee that Font Brothers ask to be paid is $20 (£14) for its use on a desktop computer with a rise in fees in relation to the number of people that would see it.

The company is seeking damages of $150,000 (£104,820) per infringement.

At present, Hasbro and their legal representatives are refusing to make a comment so this is one to keep an eye on.

By Ellis Sweetenham