# British toymaking couples who say they lost £90m when US toy giant launched ‘campaign’ to keep them out of major shops lose bid for massive payout

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/british-toymaking-couples-who-say-they-lost-90m-when-us-toy-giant-launched-campaign-to-keep-them-out-of-major-shops-lose-bid-for-massive-payout/
- Published: 2026-11-12T12:00:36+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T12:20:49+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16286747/British-toymaking-couples-say-lost-90m-US-toy-giant-launched-campaign-major-shops-lose-bid-massive-payout.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Americas, Elections, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Toy founders lost their appeal for compensation.
- A court found MGA tried to exclude Worldeez from major shops.
- The judge concluded the business would have failed regardless.

## Summary

Four British entrepreneurs behind the Worldeez collectible toy have lost their appeal for compensation after a court found that US toy maker MGA had tried to keep their product out of major UK shops. The ruling matters because the High Court had already found MGA abused its dominant market position, yet concluded that the business would have failed even without that conduct.

The sisters Hayley Michaelson and Lauren Cohen, and their husbands, launched Worldeez with 120 figurines themed around eight countries, supported by online influencers and a planned TV advert. MGA threatened to withdraw its LOL Surprise toys from retailers that stocked Worldeez and alleged patent infringement; The Entertainer cancelled its order, while Smyths and Toys ‘R’ Us did not stock it. The range later sold through B&M, but sales fell and the business failed; its owners had sought damages of up to £90 million.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.