NCIS, a show that sometimes plays on the TVs they have on display at the Union Square Best Buy, has a years-long running gag involving a plush farting hippo named Bert (it's funny because it's a hippo, that farts). Now CBS is being sued by the hippo's original manufacturer, Folkmanis Inc., who allege that CBS paid a Chinese company for farting hippo knockoffs.
According to the Wrap:
According to the lawsuit, Delivery Agent Inc., one of the named defendants, teamed up with another defendant, S.F. Global Sourcing, to contact Shanghai Orlind Toy Co., a company in China. Their alleged mission: procure unlicensed Bert the Farting Hippo toys to sell for CBS.
The mission was allegedly successful, which led to CBS selling the China-produced Bert the Farting Hippo toys, and ending its orders with Folkmanis.
Folkmanis is suing CBS and affiliates for copyright infringement, and is asking for $730,000. The dignity lost after filing a suit about a farting hippo will not be recouped.
