BenShot Sued Petco Over Golf Ball Glass Patent
The Wisconsin-based glassmaker alleges Petco infringed on its patented design for glasses with embedded sports balls.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Pets — General
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BenShot LLC has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Petco in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The suit alleges Petco is selling unauthorized glasses with embedded golf and soccer balls that mirror BenShot designs.
Why it matters
This litigation could impact the availability of popular novelty kitchenware in Wisconsin pet stores and online markets. The case hinges on whether consumers view Petco's product design as substantially similar to the original patented glassware.
The lawsuit, filed on October 2, 2026, concerns designs patented by BenShot in 2019 that feature a sports ball embedded in the glass. The company currently seeks both an injunction to stop sales and potential monetary damages for the unauthorized designs.
The players
BenShot LLC
An Appleton, Wisconsin-based company known for manufacturing glassware with embedded items and defending its intellectual property rights.
Petco
A major national pet specialty retailer based in San Diego that offers a wide array of pet supplies and novelty home goods.
The details
BenShot claims its design, which it began selling in 2017, is being replicated by Petco in its Ball is Life line of drinkware. The lawsuit asks the court to force Petco to cease sales immediately and initiate a recall of existing products for potential destruction or donation. BenShot contends that ordinary consumers would find the competing product designs substantially similar to their patented invention.
Timeline
BenShot began selling the sphere-design glassware in 2017.
The company secured a patent for the embedded glass design in 2019.
The civil lawsuit was filed on October 2, 2026.
Petco subsidiaries were served with the complaint on October 5, 2026.
The Home Front
This lawsuit highlights the ongoing tension between independent manufacturers and major retailers regarding intellectual property in the home goods market. It follows a pattern of enforcement set by the 2019 BenShot patent to protect the exclusivity of their original glassware design.
If you have purchased Ball is Life glasses from Petco, be aware that their availability may change pending court orders. Owners of existing glassware do not need to take immediate action, as the current focus of the lawsuit is on commercial sales and distribution.
The takeaway
The court case marks a significant legal effort by an independent Wisconsin maker to protect its specific design patent against a national chain. If you are a fan of novelty glassware, keep an eye on product availability at local retailers as this litigation proceeds in the federal court.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest retail trends and consumer updates in our Pets — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Post-Crescent.
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