Barbie has beaten back the Bratz
In order to keep up with your holiday shopping list during tight economic times, payday loans can be a useful tool to bridge the gap until your next paycheck. But if you’re expecting to be able to buy your little girl’s favorite Bratz dolls after this holiday season passes, think again.
After a four-year legal battle with MGA Entertainment, Mattel convinced a federal judge to ban MGA from making and selling the ultra-trendy Bratz dolls (Baby Bratz, Bratz Babyz, Bratz Boyz, Bratz Petz, et al).
According to Mattel attorney Michael Zeller, “(MGA) has no right to use Bratz for any goods or services at all.”
U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson is allowing MGA to wait until the holiday season ends to remove the toys from store shelves.
Et tu, Barbie?
Bratz emerged in 2001 as a real contender versus the classic diva Barbie for a place in little girls’ hearts. But now, copyright infringement has sent them sashaying off to a dark warehouse without their eyeliner.
Apparently, Bratz designer Carter Bryant developed the concept for these dolls while he was working for Mattel.
Barbie couldn’t be happier, as Bratz were cutting into her sales. Domestic sales of Barbie were down 15 percent in 2007.
The infringements will cost MGA $10,000,000, while breach of contract will set them back merely an additional $90,000,000.
“But those Bratz made $778,000,000. I’m sure they can afford a place to live and some real clothes,” scoffed Malibu Barbie, before driving away in her pink Corvette with vanity plates and tricked out rims.
She would not comment on whether she’d ever taken out payday loans as a part of her on-the-go lifestyle.
“What’ve they got that I haven’t got?”
Huge lips, pug noses, almond eyes and coquettish figures, to name a few. Their urban edginess made them an instant hit with young girls and the bane of parents who balked at their overly sexualized wardrobe.
MGA took Carter Bryant’s original designs and spun out a line of more than 40 characters. Of course, an entire universe of accessories completed Bratz’ sassy, attitude with hot sauce look.
Mattel objected to their Bratziness
The judge’s injunction named all 40 dolls in the Bratz line, including the four originals — Yasmine, Chloe, Sasha and Jade. MGA was also ordered to reimburse vendors and distributors for the cost and shipping for returning them.
MGA attempted to argue that only the first generation of Bratz infringed on Mattel’s copyright,er all the dolls in the line are in violation. The judge wouldn’t buy it. His ruling sent the extended Bratz family off to reform school.
MGA attorney Raoul Kennedy argued that the judge “had the discretion to determine which dolls violated Mattel’s copyright.” Mattel’s attorneys responded by saying the court didn’t not have the leeway to reinterpret the jury’s findings after ruling.
Whatever will MGA do?
Bratz was definitely their biggest moneymaker. Will they need payday loans from time to time now to help fill in the spaces? Whatever the case, many parents will be happy to return to Barbie dolls for their girls, or perhaps even more realistic, positive alternatives.
Okay, I just want to point out how much I dislike “the classic diva Barbie” and Bratz dolls. I refuse to purchase any type of toys that relates to them in any form. I think it forms a solid idea in the young mind of children that they must look a certain way to be accepted by today’s society. The American “culture” is getting out of hand. T.V., magazines and toys (such as Bratz and Barbie), all promote many things that I believe are not suitable for children. Nowadays, sex is no doubt one of the biggest sellers. I’ve seen a few kid T.V. shows on Disney and Nickelodeon and I don’t think they were anything close to promoting educational materials. It’s all about my “my boyfriend this” and “how to get the perfect first kiss”; it’s ridiculous! So in conclusion, I don’t really care if they put a stop on that industry.
As I actually put our current economy in consideration, I am a little worried if they do decide to shut down the industry. This will be an addition to the unemployment rate that is significantly increasing.
I never thought the Bratz dolls were really a good thing to market to young people, at all. I consider myself a fairly liberal person, and I have never advocated for anything other than every person’s inherent right to freedom of choice, and I am certainly not in favor of censorship, but I think there is a point where something can be taken too far. Adult things should be left to adults. However, the blow to the manufacturing company can’t have been a good thing.
I loved Barbie growin up, she was my favorite doll! I don’t think though that they should have put the Bratz doll out because Barbie can’t handle the competition. Things change over time and so do kid’s toys period. And it’s not just Bratz clothes that are to revealing, I mean what, Barbie don’t have bikini’s or anything that shows skin?! And just like payday loans, they are taking freedom of choice from kids now, (to an extent), to choose what doll they like better. Do you think the $778,000,000 made from them were by consumers trying to put Barbie outta business, or simply consumers who found a new favorite doll? Come on Mattel put your game face on!
I dont really see the big deal i like bratz and my daughter loves them everything she has is bratz and nothing bad has come out of it they are sayin its sexual or what ever i dont think it has anything to do with it .it all how you raise your child so i dont like the idea of taken them out i think alot of kids are gonna be upset mine is and that I DONT LIKE! and barbie is no better and she has been around for how long this is very upsetting to me