Starsea Studio's Need for a Lawyer

Thanks to Lin Hai and Peter's efforts, several newly released Spider-Man motion-capture figurines and battle-damaged dolls from Starsea Studio became hugely popular the moment they hit the market, thanks to their astonishing detail and lifelike designs.

"Wow! Look at this month's report!" Peter stared at the tablet, his eyes wide as saucers.

Gwen smiled and poured cold water on his excitement. "Calm down, Peter. Most of the money in that report has to go into production. You won't actually get that much in the end."

Harry analyzed the situation calmly. "Sales have indeed exceeded expectations, but a tall tree catches the wind. Our success will inevitably affect the market share of similar products. I've received word that several companies that previously held sizable shares in the anime merchandise market have started paying attention to us."

Sure enough, Harry's worries quickly became reality.

Several market competitors in New York began spreading vague claims on social media accusing Starsea Studio of "design plagiarism" and "unfair competition."

Soon after, they received their first legal letter. It came from an unheard-of small company claiming that certain muscle lines and action poses on the Spider-Man dolls infringed on the "design patent" of one of its anime character figurines.

"This is utterly ridiculous!" Gwen held the legal letter, her cheeks puffed up with anger. "Their hero wears medieval armor, while our Spider-Man wears a skintight suit. Other than both being humanoid, how do they look alike?"

Peter pulled a long face. "Does striking a classic superhero landing pose count as infringement now? You see that pose everywhere!"

However, the real trouble had only just begun.

Jameson, editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle and someone who had always regarded Spider-Man as a thorn in his side, seized on the "perfect" subject like a shark smelling blood.

The next