Fox News host Harris Faulkner and toy manufacturer Hasbro have settled a lawsuit over a toy hamster (pictured, right) that was also named “Harris Faulkner.”
“Harris Faulkner and Hasbro are pleased to report that the lawsuit filed by Ms. Faulkner last year has been settled amicably,” said Faulkner and the company in a joint statement issued Wednesday.
Faulkner sued in 2015, accusing Hasbro of selling a plastic hamster that was named Harris Faulkner—and, her lawsuit claimed, “bears a physical resemblance to Faulkner’s traditional professional appearance, in particular tone of its complexion, the shape of its eyes, and the design of its eye makeup.”
Neither Faulkner nor Hasbro would comment on the specifics of the settlement. Here’s the statement, in full:
“Harris Faulkner and Hasbro are pleased to report that the lawsuit filed by Ms. Faulkner last year has been settled amicably. Ms. Faulkner took action against Hasbro because it was selling a child’s toy – a plastic toy named Harris Faulkner. Ms. Faulkner argued that she did not consent to have her name or image associated in any way with the manufacture and/or sale of this toy and that, as a journalist, she never endorses companies’ products. In defending the lawsuit, Hasbro contended that its Littlest Pet Shop toy was not named for Ms. Faulkner and did not look like Ms. Faulkner in any way. The ‘Harris Faulkner’ toy is no longer manufactured or sold by Hasbro. However, since there still may be ‘Harris Faulkner’ toys or packaging with the ‘Harris Faulkner’ name in the stream of commerce, Ms. Faulkner reiterates that she has not endorsed or approved this product. The parties will not comment further on the litigation or its settlement.”