Week Eight EOC: Bratz Brawl

In the case of Bratz v. Mattel, It seems to me that it is a sound not only like a classic version of he-said she-said but it seems like a waste of time and money.  From what I have read it seems like Mattel wants a piece of the Bratz fortune simply because the creator was still under contract with Mattel and not because it had anything to do with the developmental process or success of the Bratz brand. Allegations range from four Mattel employees disguised themselves as potential buyers outfitted with fake business cards and fake invoices to gain entrance at toy fairs to acquire rival information. They also allege that Mattel was involved in one retailer removing all the MGA from its stores and threatened to ruin a deal with a video company that was producing Bratz videogames because of their “alliance with Bratz.”

Mattel fires back with alleged allegations that information MGA said was stolen was actually released publicly and not trade secrets along with alleging that MGA stole trade secrets by supporting Mattel employees to steal documents before coming to work at MGA. "We remain committed to protecting the intellectual property that is at the heart of business success," Mattel’s lawyer, (huffingtonpost.com)

This seriously sounds like one big he-said she-said, all because it seems like Mattel saw a 1 billion dollar revenue being made from the Bratz brand and decided they wanted and deserved a piece of the pie all because  the creator was still under contract with Mattel. That seems like a bunch of bull if you ask me. The fact that this made it all the way to the Supreme Court is astounding to me. Most likely because of the amount of money involved, no doubt. “While this may not be the last word on the subject,” Judge Kozinski said, “perhaps Mattel and MGA can take a lesson from their target demographic: Play nice.” (nytimes.com)In the end MGA was awarded 137 million instead of the $309 million they were rewarded in April 2011 for damages and legal fees. "I feel vindicated and I'm very excited," he said in an interview. "I'm happy for MGA, MGA employees and all the people who believed in us and did not abandon us for all these years." (latimes.com)

Sources:

Huffingtonpost.com – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/21/mattel-loses-lawsuit-with-mga-bratz_n_852223.html

NYTimes.com – http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/25/business/court-cuts-damages-owed-by-mattel-in-bratz-doll-case.html?_r=0

LATimes.com – http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/05/business/la-fi-mattel-bratz-20110805