Pop Mart Takes Bambu Lab to Shanghai Court Over Labubu IP — April Trial Set

The Lawsuit That Could Change 3D Printing Platforms Forever

Pop Mart, the Chinese toymaker behind the massively popular Labubu character, has taken Bambu Lab to court in Shanghai over copyright infringement claims tied to knockoff Labubu 3D models uploaded to MakerWorld, the companys file-sharing platform.

The trial is scheduled for April 2nd, 2026 at the Peoples Court of Pudong New Area in Shanghai.

Whats at Stake

Pop Mart is seeking to hold Bambu Lab legally responsible for what users uploaded to MakerWorld — even though the 3D printer manufacturer didnt create or upload any of the infringing files itself.

If Pop Mart succeeds, the ruling could fundamentally shift how 3D printing platforms manage and moderate user content. The case centers on whether a platform can be held liable for copyright infringement committed by its users.

Labubu was one of the most commercially visible IPs in China in 2025, accounting for more than 30% of Pop Marts total sales revenue. Chinese customs authorities seized 1.83 million counterfeit Labubu products in 2025 alone.

MakerWorlds Response

In response to the lawsuit, Bambu Lab pulled all Labubu-related files from MakerWorld. However, the sweep caught unrelated files in the removal — including printer modifications, cable clips, and locksmithing tools. The company acknowledged the mistake and most affected models have since been restored.

The timing is particularly pointed: Bambu Lab had only recently launched a Creator Copyright Protection Service designed to help designers report when their models are stolen and uploaded to other platforms. The company now finds itself defending against the very category of complaint its own new tool was built to address.

The Legal Question

Bambu Lab is expected to invoke the safe harbor principle — the legal doctrine that shields platform operators from liability if they were unaware of infringing content or acted swiftly to remove it upon notification.

However, because Bambu Lab only removed the content after the lawsuit was filed rather than proactively, that defense may face scrutiny.

Broader Implications

The case is currently contained within the Chinese legal system. Notably, knockoff Labubu files remain openly available on Western platforms including Printables, Thangs, Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory, and Cults — and no equivalent action has been filed against these platforms.

This lawsuit follows a broader trend of tightening IP enforcement in 3D printing. In 2019, LEGO issued takedown notices against individual designers and platforms over minifigure fan art, drawing widespread community backlash.