Beware of fake Pillow Pets

From the Daily News:

U.S. marshals have seized thousands of bunnies, frogs, ladybugs and monkeys stashed in a Queens warehouse.

They are guilty of impersonating Pillow Pets, the plush folding animals held dear by children - and parents who say they're the only things that get their kids to nap.

The counterfeit pillows will remain in custody while lawyers for Pillow Pets seek punitive damages against Concord Toys International, which makes the made-in-China fakes.

Brooklyn Federal Judge Eric Vitaliano signed an injunction restraining Concord from manufacturing any more of the knockoffs and expressed concern about possible danger to any kid cuddling up to the creatures. "This is particularly troubling given the potential that [Concord's] products may pose a potential public health risk," he wrote in a court order.

CJ Products, the maker of Thumpy Bunny, Squeaky Duck, Ms. Lady Bug and Silly Monkey, among others, filed suit under seal recently in federal court so the counterfeiters would not be tipped off to the coming raid. Private eyes hired by CJ tracked the bogus pillows to a Flushing Ave. warehouse on the Brooklyn-Queens line, where marshals seized 17,000 items.