Pop Mart Sues Bambu Lab Over Labubu Copyright Infringement — MakerWorld in Legal Hot Water

Pop Mart Takes Legal Action Against Bambu Lab

Pop Mart, the creator of the wildly popular Labubu toy series, has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Bambu Lab, the Shenzhen-based 3D printing company behind the MakerWorld design repository. The lawsuit, scheduled for April 2, 2026, alleges that users uploaded unauthorized 3D-printable Labubu models to the MakerWorld platform.

The case names two co-defendants and focuses on what legal experts are calling "platform-based infringement" — a new frontier in intellectual property law that questions whether platform liability disclaimers are sufficient protection.

MakerWorld Responds

Following the lawsuit, Bambu Lab has removed all Pop Mart-related models from MakerWorld. The platform, which claims to be the world's largest 3D model community by monthly active users, has seen significant turbulence as creators report odd takedowns on various models.

The lawsuit has sent shockwaves through the 3D printing industry. Legal experts suggest this case could fundamentally change how user-generated content platforms operate, potentially holding them more accountable for infringing content uploaded by users.

A Growing Problem

The timing is significant: between January and November 2025, Chinese prosecutors handled 64 criminal cases involving cultural and creative copyright infringement, with 13 specifically related to Pop Mart intellectual property.

The case is being closely watched by the entire 3D printing community, as similar issues affect other platforms including those operated by Creality and xTool. This lawsuit may mark the end of an era of relatively unchecked user-generated content in the 3D printing space.

Industry Impact

Pop Mart's stock fell nearly 5% on March 3, closing at HK$214.20 ($27.55), following news of the lawsuit. The company has been aggressive in protecting its IP, previously filing for trademarks against knockoff terms like "Lafufu" that the fan community uses for unofficial versions.

This landmark case could set a precedent for how 3D printing platform companies handle intellectual property going forward, potentially requiring more robust content moderation systems and proactive filtering mechanisms.