May 22, 2026
Maxim Inc. has voluntarily dismissed its trade secret and copyright lawsuit against Playboy Inc., ending the case days after a New York federal judge denied Maxim's request for emergency relief and found its claims unlikely to succeed.
May 15, 2026
A New York federal judge shot down Maxim's bid to stop Playboy from allegedly ripping off the mechanics behind Maxim's "Cover Girl Competition," saying Maxim's delay in voicing misappropriation concerns and efforts to partner with Playboy amid the magazine's "Great Playmate Search" undermined Maxim's claims of irreparable harm.
January 21, 2026
Maxim has sued Playboy in Manhattan federal court for trade secret misappropriation and copyright infringement, accusing Playboy of copying Maxim's online modeling competition by using the same mechanics and architecture when launching a contest of its own.