26-cv-12855 | BBC Studios' Third Case in Three Business Days: Bluey and Kids' Animation Sellers Take Note

Case overview

• Plaintiff: BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (the BBC company responsible for program distribution and brand licensing, including Bluey and Doctor Who)
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• Filed: October 20, 2026
• Status: Filed. The plaintiff also filed a “Leave to File” procedural document the same day, which in Schedule A cases is typically used to seek leave to file the defendant list and other materials under seal.

BBC Studios filed cases on October 16 (26-cv-12709) and October 19 (26-cv-12766); this is the third in three business days.

The complaint and Schedule A defendant list are not yet public; the rights and products at issue will be updated.

What may happen next

Schedule A plaintiffs usually move for a TRO within days of filing. Once granted, marketplaces freeze defendants’ funds. If your store is frozen in the coming days and your products relate to this brand, this case is a likely source.

Seller checklist

• Check for toys, apparel, party supplies, and stickers featuring Bluey or other BBC-licensed characters
• Check merchandise related to series such as Doctor Who
• Character enforcement in kids’ categories is intense; verify the source of every cartoon design

Already frozen?

Keep the platform notice, emails from plaintiff’s counsel, affected listings, and sales records. Hold off on replying to the plaintiff or signing anything, and have counsel review the case. See: Store Frozen by a TRO: The First 72 Hours.

Source

CourtListener public docket: 26-cv-12855