Sanrio Inc., the acclaimed Japanese corporation behind "Hello Kitty" and "Keroppi," has filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court against the unknown defendant(s), "Does 1 through 50."
The plaintiffs claim that in 1999, "Does 1 through 50" obtained illegal possession of "Hello Kitty" and "Flint the Time Detective" characters, exploiting these characters to their own financial benefit without compensating Sanrio Inc.
Sanrio Company, Ltd. have first quarter 2013 revenues projected at $16.9B, according to Business Week.
Now the defendants are being accused of "conversion, trespass to property, fraudulent concealment, and unjust enrichment."
Sanrio Inc. currently seeks general, special, and punitive damages.
Read the full case here.