Mattel's Barbie Wins Court Battle with Bratz

Judge Rules for Mattel inTrademark Infringement Case Against MGA

Dec 6, 2008

Barbie has been the queen bee of the doll world for almost 50 years. Upstart Bratz dolls have been stomped out in court trademark infringement action by Mattel.

Barbie has been the queen bee of the doll world since her introduction in 1959. A recent court ruling against upstart rivals Bratz means that Mattel-produced Barbie stomped her high heeled little feet and wiped out the competition from the upstart teenaged girls of Bratz made by MGA Entertainment.

According to a press release on the Mattel website, Mattel had filed an injunction against MGA for trademark infringement. At trial, the jury found that Carter Bryant, a Mattel doll designer had created Bratz doll designs and the Bratz name while working at Mattel. The court ruled that MGA had wrongfully acquired the name Bratz and ordered that all trademark registrations for Bratz be transferred to Mattel.

The court granted Mattel’s motions for a permanent injunction barring MGA from using the Bratz name of selling Bratz fashion dolls. As part of the injunction, the Court ordered MGA to recall all infringing products from store shelves. Court orders will not take full effect until after rulings on post trial motions, currently scheduled for February.

Barbie Dolls

Barbie Dolls have been hot collectibles practically since they were introduced almost 50 years ago. Barbie and her friends are still the best selling toys. Barbie has improbable, idealized proportions, wears fun fashions and parties with her handsome boyfriend named Ken.

Girls have enjoyed playing with Barbie, changing her clothing and accessories for different looks and personas. Barbie represents a glamorous woman with perfect makeup, beautiful hair and and over the top perfect figure.

The fashion doll icon has come under attack over the years for setting up standards of beauty and weight that have spurred young girls to have unrealistic expectations of themselves and others. Barbie has changed identities and careers several times in her 50 year history and has been a princess, fashion model, career woman and actress.

Bratz Dolls

Bratz Dolls are impossible looking teenagers, with big heads, long flowing hair and huge eyes. Bratz are fun loving girls with different personalities. Jade, Yasmin, Cloe and Sasha come along with stories describing who they are and their individual characters.

Barbie Reigns

This recent court action may create an instant collectible in the Bratz Dolls, but that remains to be seen. In the meantime, Barbie still reigns supreme as the top selling toy. The number two and number three brand of dolls in the US are Hannah Montana and Mattel’s High School Musical.

The copyright of the article Mattel's Barbie Wins Court Battle with Bratz in Kids' Toys is owned by Christine Nyholm. Permission to republish Mattel's Barbie Wins Court Battle with Bratz in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.