Latest news with #CoKildare-based
Irish Independent
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘Sylvanian Families' toy firm in settlement talks with Kildare TikTok star over parody videos featuring Japanese company's dolls
In April, Thea Von Engelbrechten, the Co Kildare-based content creator behind the SylvanianDrama account, was sued in the US by Japanese toy giant Epoch Company, which developed the Sylvanian Families dolls in 1985. In the lawsuit, Epoch accused Von Engelbrechten, who is in her early 20s, of copyright infringement and 'creating, publishing, and disseminating online advertising videos' using the dolls without Epoch's permission. The toymaker claims SylvanianDrama, which has 2.5 million followers on TikTok, of advertising household name brands including Marc Jacobs, Burberry, and Hilton Hotels. However, lawyers for Epoch recently claimed both parties were 'actively engaged in settlement discussions'. The detail was included in a filing asking the US court to extend deadlines in the case. 'The parties will be in a better position to address the legal and factual issues, including Ms Von Engelbrechten's defences in the case after Ms Von Engelbrechten files an answer,' the filing said. The filing asks the court to extend the deadline for Ms Von Engelbrechten's answers to August 8. Epoch proposed an initial pretrial conference on a date between September 2 and 5. Last Monday, the court adopted the parties' deadline for Von Engelbrechten's answer, but set the initial pretrial conference to August 14. The SylvanianDrama page, which also has one million followers on Instagram, publishes short-form videos using Sylvanian Families dolls. The videos involve the doll characters in fictional comedic storylines aimed at adults, with some referencing drugs and violence. In its original court complaint, Epoch claimed that Von Engelbrechten could continue to 'cause irreparable injury' to Epoch's 'reputation' through the social media account.# Epoch also claimed the SylvanianDrama videos could confuse potential purchasers of Sylvanian Families toys. The group alleged purchasers may form the false impression the adverts were produced, authorised or endorsed by Epoch. Epoch is seeking a court order declaring Von Engelbrechten had infringed copyright, had committed acts of false endorsement and to stop her from allegedly further infringing Epoch's copyright using the dolls. It is also seeking damages.
BreakingNews.ie
25-04-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Intel staff and families ‘extremely concerned' at possible job losses
Intel's staff and their families are 'extremely concerned' at the possible job losses as the company seeks to cut its global workforce, the Minister for Employment has said. Peter Burke said it is likely to be 'several weeks' before details are available on how the Co Kildare-based campus will be affected. Advertisement Intel said it is cutting its workforce to bring costs in line with the business's smaller size, but did not announce a number of layoffs. Earlier this week, Bloomberg News reported that more than 20 per cent of staff globally are to be laid off. Intel's Fab 34 manufacturing facility is in Leixlip, Co Kildare (Brian Lawless/PA) The US tech firm's European manufacturing base has been in Leixlip since 1989. Intel said it has invested €30 billion into the campus and has 4,900 employees in Ireland. Advertisement Intel said it could be July before it has finalised the number of lay-offs. Mr Burke, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, said he will continue to engage with Intel, supported by colleagues in IDA Ireland, in what is a 'difficult time for staff in the midst of continued uncertainty'. 'I note the publication of Intel's Q1 financial results last night and comments from chief executive Lip Bu Tan that they were 'a step in the right direction', while also confirming there will be a reduction in Intel's workforce globally,' Mr Burke said in a statement. 'While no specifics around the number or location of job cuts were flagged, the company have said they plan to reduce operating costs by 500 million dollars (€440m) this year and one billion dollars (880m euro) next year, and stated this will include a reduction in the workforce, particularly in management and non-core engineering roles. Advertisement 'It is likely to be several weeks before details are available on the impact of these cost reduction measures. 'While we await further specifics on potential downsizing, which is an incredibly anxious time for Intel's staff, it is positive that the company have stated that they will continue to focus investment on their core business, the manufacturing of semiconductor products. 'This is the primary activity in Ireland. Intel said it has invested €30 billion into its manufacturing facility in Leixlip (Brian Lawless/PA) 'It is also worth noting that Intel has completed the construction of the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing facility in Europe in Fab 34, which is now in production in Leixlip and can be central to Intel's growth recovery strategy. Advertisement 'This 17 billion euro investment is just the latest in Intel's 35-year history operating here, with the Irish government, through IDA Ireland, partnering with Intel on this journey. Ireland Islamic Centre to remain closed following alleged... Read More 'My thoughts remain with staff and their families, many of whom are extremely concerned. 'I continue to keep in touch with local management, and I am meeting them again next week. 'Government continues to value our long-term partnership with Intel and will continue to work with the company as it works through its plans over the coming weeks and months, as demand for semiconductors remains strong.' Advertisement
The Independent
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Intel staff and families ‘extremely concerned' at possible job losses
Intel's staff and their families are 'extremely concerned' at the possible job losses as the company seek to cut its global workforce, the employment minister has said. Peter Burke said it is likely to be 'several weeks' before detail is available on how the Co Kildare-based campus will be affected. Intel said it is cutting its workforce to bring costs in line with the business's smaller size, but did not announce a number of lay-offs. Earlier this week, Bloomberg News reported that more than 20% of staff globally are to be laid off. The US tech firm's European manufacturing base has been in Leixlip since 1989. Intel said it has invested 30 billion euro into the campus and has 4,900 employees in Ireland. Intel said it could be July before it has finalised the number of lay-offs. Mr Burke, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, said he will continue to engage with Intel, supported by colleagues in IDA Ireland, in what is a 'difficult time for staff in the midst of continued uncertainty'. 'I note the publication of Intel's Q1 financial results last night and comments from CEO Lip Bu Tan that they were 'a step in the right direction', while also confirming there will be a reduction in Intel's workforce globally,' Mr Burke said in a statement. 'While no specifics around the number or location of job cuts were flagged, the company have said they plan to reduce operating costs by 500 million dollars (440m euro) this year and one billion dollars (880m euro) next year, and stated this will include a reduction in the workforce, particularly in management and non-core engineering roles. 'It is likely to be several weeks before detail is available on the impact of these cost reduction measures. 'While we await further specifics on potential downsizing, which is an incredibly anxious time for Intel's staff, it is positive that the company have stated that they will continue to focus investment on their core business, the manufacturing of semiconductor products. 'This is the primary activity in Ireland. 'It is also worth noting that Intel has completed the construction of the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing facility in Europe in Fab 34, which is now in production in Leixlip and can be central to Intel's growth recovery strategy. 'This 17 billion euro investment is just the latest in Intel's 35-year history operating here, with the Irish government, through IDA Ireland, partnering with Intel on this journey. 'My thoughts remain with staff and their families, many of whom are extremely concerned. 'I continue to keep in touch with local management and I am meeting them again next week. ' Government continues to value our long-term partnership with Intel and will continue to work with the company as it works through its plans over the coming weeks and months, as demand for semiconductors remains strong.'
