‘Absolute joke’: Update in Sylvanian Drama lawsuit as influencer forced to change name

There’s good news and bad news when it comes to the Sylvanian Drama lawsuit, because after being sued by the parent company of the iconic toy brand, the influencer behind the viral TikToks has been forced to change the name.

Let’s start at the beginning.

Back in 2021, Thea Von Engelbrechten, from Kildare, Ireland, launched the now-iconic Sylvanian Drama page on both TikTok and Instagram. Using figurines from the Sylvanian Families range, which has been in the UK since 1987, Thea would put on skits and sketches of a less-than-PG nature. The little critters were getting into all kinds of trouble, ranging from literal kidnappings to drug addiction.

We all became thoroughly obsessed over lockdown, but disaster struck back in April 2025. The Sylvanian Families parent brand, Epoch Company, filed a lawsuit against Thea in the US. The company alleged copyright infringement and “creating, publishing, and disseminating online advertising videos” without its consent. It further claimed that Thea’s Sylvanian Drama videos “cause irreparable injury” to Epoch’s “reputation” and business.

@gossipsquirls

#drama

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Great news! The Sylvanian Drama lawsuit was dropped

On August 8, Epoch Company dropped its lawsuit against Sylvanian Drama, voluntarily dismissing all claims “without prejudice.” Both parties paid their own legal costs.

“Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1)(A)(i), Plaintiff Epoch Company, hereby dismisses all claims in this action without prejudice, with each party to bear its own costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees,” the notice of dismissal read.

Unfortunately, it’s been forced to change its name

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On the same day, Thea Von Engelbrechten broke her months-long silence by revealing that the Sylvanian Drama brand as we knew it was dead. Presumably, as a result of the lawsuit, she was forced to change the name.

“Hi guys, on the 19th August I will be changing the name and profile picture of this account,” Thea wrote on Instagram. “I’m not sure what to change it to yet, so please let me know if you have any suggestions.”

People certainly add some pretty stellar suggestions:

• NotSylvanianDrama
• CanceledCritters
• Desperate Mousewives
• SLAYvanian Drama
• Real mousewives of Transylvania
• Real Housewives of Sylvania (RHOS)
• Epoch Escapades
• CrittercalConditions
• I’m.Really.Not.Sylvanian.Drama.Please.Don’t.Sue

@gossipsquirls

#drama #guineapigs

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People were divided on the outcome, with many arguing that Thea’s videos did nothing to damage the Sylvanian brand as a whole. One person even said it was an “absolute joke” that such a huge brand went so hard on a small TikTok creator.

“This account made me want to buy their merch. They should be thanking you for making their toys relevant again. Sending love,” one person wrote.

Another said, “I was close to actually buying a set of their stuff a few weeks ago and I’m so glad I didn’t. Now they’ve made an enemy for life.”

Updating her accounts on August 19, Thea revealed the new name as Gossip Squirls. Thoughts?

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Featured image credit: Gossip Squirls