Wolfoo Videos Ordered Removed Over Peppa Pig Audio

Animated character Wolfoo's videos are to be removed from platforms including YouTube after a High Court judge ruled they illegally copied audio from Peppa Pig. The decision follows a copyright infringement case brought by entertainment giant Hasbro, which owns the rights to Peppa Pig.

Copyright Infringement Ruling

Read Next in Barnet Press2 min read

Sunseeker Holiday Homes enters administration

The Hull-based manufacturer, founded in 2019, has appointed administrators, putting 76 jobs at risk.

Mr Justice Smith stated that the copying of audio clips, including sounds made by Peppa and her family, was "prolific" and "long-standing". The judge found that all 92 English-language Wolfoo videos examined contained copied audio. Approximately 75% of foreign-language videos examined also featured such clips. Hasbro and Peppa Pig's creators initially took legal action in London in 2022, claiming SConnect, Wolfoo's makers, attempted to deceive young viewers into believing Wolfoo was connected to Peppa Pig.

SConnect denied the infringement claim but admitted that some videos created before mid-2020 contained Peppa Pig audio. The company stated this was due to an independent third-party contractor using clips without their knowledge. SConnect also claimed that all infringing videos were removed and that newer animations used exclusively in-house created sounds.

However, the judge dismissed SConnect's arguments, deeming the source of the sounds irrelevant. He noted that while many infringing videos were taken down, some were simply moved to different channels. The judge also stated that the claim of exclusively new sounds being used could be disproved. The ruling mandates the removal of all Wolfoo videos by 16:00 BST on Monday.

Related Borough Coverage4 min read

Enfield Town Liveable Neighbourhood scheme paused pending review

Transport for London funding for next phase is on hold as council re-evaluates project elements.

Global Application of Ruling

SConnect argued that the ruling should only apply to the sampled videos and that the scope was too broad. The judge rejected these points, confirming the order applies globally, encompassing the UK, the European Union, and all 166 World Trade Organisation member states, including the USA and Vietnam. Andrew Lee, partner at law firm Brandsmiths, which represented Hasbro, described the judgment as "significant" and noted it allows for brand protection in one forum rather than requiring actions in multiple countries.