By: Richard L. Smith
Image by: NJ.com
The exclusive U.S. distributor of the popular Sonny Angel collectible dolls has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the discount retail chain Five Below of selling unauthorized imitation products after being denied an official partnership.
According to court filings, Dreams USA, Inc. alleges that Five Below infringed on its copyrighted designs by offering look-alike versions of the Sonny Angel dolls in its New Jersey-area stores.
The lawsuit was filed last fall in U.S. District Court.
Dreams USA states that Five Below repeatedly sought approval to become an authorized retailer for the Sonny Angel brand but was turned away.
The distributor contends that the companies’ business models were incompatible and that concerns existed regarding Five Below’s past practices involving intellectual property and imitation merchandise.
Court documents indicate that Five Below representatives approached Dreams USA during the New York International Toy Fair in both 2023 and 2025, attempting to secure a retail partnership.
The filings further allege that these efforts continued outside of the trade show setting, with Five Below persistently seeking authorization to sell the Sonny Angel product line.
Despite those efforts, Dreams USA maintains it declined all partnership proposals.
The distributor claims that after being rejected, Five Below proceeded to sell dolls that closely resembled Sonny Angel products, allegedly violating federal copyright protections.
Sonny Angel dolls, known for their collectible appeal and distinctive designs, are typically sold in sealed “blind box” packaging, where buyers do not know which figure they will receive.
Authentic versions are currently sold through the official Sonny Angel website and major retailers such as Target and Walmart.
The lawsuit seeks damages and injunctive relief, aiming to halt the alleged sale of infringing products and protect the Sonny Angel brand from
consumer confusion. 
Five Below has not publicly responded to the allegations as of the most recent court filings.
The case remains pending in federal court.