YooHoo & Friends (2009 TV series): Difference between revisions
Lambadical (talk | contribs) →Yoohoofriends.com: added internal link |
Lambadical (talk | contribs) edited first sentence to clarify that the line is not solely based on endangered animals |
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'''YooHoo & Friends''' is a line of [[stuffed toy]]s, created by plush toy and gift manufacturer Aurora World. Introduced in 2006 as [[plush]] animals, the toys are based on [[endangered species]] from around the world. There is also an animated television series in development.<ref>http://www.awn.com/blogs/spotlight-korea/production-profile-yoohoo-friends</ref> |
'''YooHoo & Friends''' is a line of [[stuffed toy]]s, created by plush toy and gift manufacturer Aurora World. Introduced in 2006 as [[plush]] animals, the toys are based on animals, many [[endangered species]], from around the world. There is also an animated television series in development.<ref>http://www.awn.com/blogs/spotlight-korea/production-profile-yoohoo-friends</ref> |
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==History and products== |
==History and products== |
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Revision as of 18:45, 7 October 2010
YooHoo & Friends is a line of stuffed toys, created by plush toy and gift manufacturer Aurora World. Introduced in 2006 as plush animals, the toys are based on animals, many endangered species, from around the world. There is also an animated television series in development.[1]
History and products
Inspired by a bush baby monkey, the first YooHoo & Friends toys introduced were five and eight-inch plush animals with big eyes and long, soft tails. The off white color plush animal bodies featured yellow, pink, purple or turquoise colors, primarily around the eyes and as color rings on a solid grey tail. The company expanded the line beginning in July 2007 to include Valentine's and graduation themed YooHoos, eventually leading to the launch of Easter, Halloween and holiday-themed YooHoos[2]. The company continues to expand it's merchandising and licensed products worldwide. Items include educational books, umbrellas, apparel, bedding, room decor and accessories for children, as well as stationery and giftware[3]. Except for the keychain toys, YooHoo & Friends plush animals make sounds when squeezed.
Animated series
The 2D animated series, YooHoo & Friends, is intended to educate children of protection and preservation of the environment. Each installment of the series is 30 minutes in length and features 26 installments, totaling in 52 episodes. The show first aired on the Korean Broadcasting System network and is scheduled to be released through Al Jazeera the United Arab Emirates, Detskiy in Russia and BBC World News in Croatia. Developed in 2007, the YooHoo & Friends characters are a species who, along with their habitat where they grow "Trees of Life", are at risk of extinction due to environmental contamination. When a seed from a tree is accidentally blown away to Earth, the characters go on adventures to find the magical seed, avoiding danger and receiving help from new friends made along the journey.
The series incorporates five main characters: Yoohoo the Bush Baby Monkey, Pammee the Fennec Fox, Roodee the Capuchin Monkey, Chewoo the Red Squirrel and Lemmee the Lemur Monkey. According to its creators, Yoohoo & Friends encourages parents and their children to "value friendship, harmony, honesty and courage".[4]
Yoohoofriends.com
Yoohoofriends.com is an interactive website where visitors can learn more about the YooHoo & Friends characters, endangered animals and their habitats. Yoohoofriends.com registrants can play games, download wallpapers (commonly referred to as desktop backgrounds), calendars and coloring sheets; send an e-card, and adopt and raise YooHoo & Friends. Membership is free.[5]
Federal copyright lawsuit
Aurora World, Inc. filed a federal copyright lawsuit against competitor Ty Inc., alleging Ty's Beanie Boos infringe on YooHoo & Friends. Among Aurora's claims: Ty is in violation of the Copyright Act, Lanham Act, section 17200 of the California Business and Professions Code; common law misappropriation; and common law unfair competition. Ty contends it did not intend to sell "Cleo" and "Bubblegum" in the United States. Ty also advised the court that the company had ceased sending out display racks and sell sheets containing images of "Cleo" and "Bubblegum".[6]
Aurora's court documents include comparisons of YooHoo & Friends characters with "Bubblegum" and "Cleo" Beanie Boos. Through its court filings, Aurora says, "Ty's unlawful imitations of the YooHoo & Friends products and blatant infringement are damaging Aurora, not only by causing actual confusion and likelihood of confusion in the marketplace...but also by diminishing the value of the YooHoo & Friends products by diluting their distinct and unique nature and erroneously associating them with Ty rather than Aurora." A pretrial conference is scheduled to take place on December 20, 2010.[7]
References
- ^ http://www.awn.com/blogs/spotlight-korea/production-profile-yoohoo-friends
- ^ http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-218311250.html
- ^ http://www.awn.com/blogs/spotlight-korea/production-profile-yoohoo-friends
- ^ http://www.awn.com/blogs/spotlight-korea/production-profile-yoohoo-friends
- ^ http://www.animationmagazine.net/article/11436
- ^ http://www.kidstodayonline.com/article/CA6724524.html
- ^ http://www.kidstodayonline.com/article/CA6724524.html
External links