Disney Sues Over Bears Similar to Pooh

Walt Disney Co. sued a Swedish importer for copyright infringement and requested the destruction of 25,000 teddy bears it says are illegal replicas of Winnie the Pooh.

The stuffed bears, which were made in China, were intercepted by Swedish customs in April.

Disney sued the importer, Malmoe-based Harlequin Trade, to prevent the bears from being sold in Sweden, but the issue could be solved outside of court if the importer agreed to destroy the bears, attorney Ann-Charlotte Soederlund said.

Harlequin Trade President Hans Brefelt declined to comment on the lawsuit but said his company had a “mutual understanding” with Disney.

The lawsuit says Harlequin Trade reached a settlement with Disney earlier this year after trying to import alleged replicas of two other Pooh series characters, Piglet and Eeyore.

Separately, Disney said it plans to introduce a Disney-branded Visa credit card with Bank One Corp. next January.

Disney shares closed down 26cents at $22.24 on the NYSE.