In 1999, Pets.com filed a lawsuit against "Late Night" and Robert Smigel after Triumph repeatedly accused the company's sock puppet mascot as being a "rip-off" of Triumph on several TV shows, print media and internet, and after Pets.com sent lawsuit threats and cease and desist letters to Robert Smigel claiming "unfair competition, dilution and potentially tortious interference with contract in violation of federal and state laws".