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Fanatics and Panini America escalate legal battle over trading card industry dominance

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A labourer works at the assembly line of Panini's factory, where FIFA's Brazil World Cup stickers and albums are produced, in Tambore, an industrial suburb north of Sao Paulo May 5, 2014.  The World Cup is around the corner and millions of fans are putting down their iPads to collect and trade soccer stickers, a decades-old hobby that has defied the digital age. Picture taken May 5, 2014.  REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker (BRAZIL - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP SOCIETY BUSINESS)

Overview

  • Fanatics filed a countersuit against Panini after being accused of anticompetitive behavior and trying to monopolize the industry.
  • Panini previously sued Fanatics for unfair practices like raiding employees and making false statements.
  • Fanatics acquired competitor Topps in 2022 and signed major licensing deals with leagues and unions.
  • Panini alleged Fanatics is trying to force it out of agreements early to pay exorbitant fees.
  • The legal fight highlights growing tensions as Fanatics aims to become the top trading card company.