Jury Awards Mattel $20 Million

by Jay Cochran
August 27, 2008
Today in federal court, a jury unanimously awarded Mattel $20 million damages from MGA Entertainment and its CEO, Isaac Larian, for copyright infringement and other claims related to Mattel’s rightful ownership of Bratz-related works.

“Mattel has pursued this case first and foremost as a matter of principle,” said Robert A. Eckert, chairman and chief executive officer of Mattel, Inc. “We have an obligation to defend ourselves against competitors who choose to engage in fraudulent activities against us. We’re pleased that the jury agreed with Mattel that what MGA did was wrong and that damages were awarded.”

Mattel’s counsel, John Quinn, added, “After carefully weighing nearly three months of testimony and evidence, the jury arrived at a unanimous and undeniable conclusion that MGA engaged in illegal business practices.”

Mattel was represented by Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges, LLP, a 400-strong lawyer business litigation firm – the largest in the United States devoted solely to business litigation. The litigation team was led by John Quinn, founder and managing partner at the firm, and partners Bill Price and Mike Zeller. The trial of Mattel, Inc. v MGA Entertainment, Inc. began on May 27, 2008, in United States Court of the Central District of California in Riverside, Calif., and was presided by the Honorable Stephen G. Larson, United States District Judge.

The jury awarded $20 million to Mattel in damages.

MGA said that the jury made its award pursuant to a variety of legal claims, each based on the same damages theory, and subject to the Court's instruction not to be concerned about duplicative damages. MGA pointed out that during the trial Mattel even conceded that the damages it sought were overlapping and duplicative.

MGA further stated that it intends to appeal any amount of awarded damages at the end of the case.

“We are pleased to have this trial behind us,” said Isaac Larian, CEO of MGA Entertainment. “We can now concentrate all of our energies on what we do best - providing dolls and other toys that are the consumers’ first choice.”



Comments...

Last 10 comments - ( Read All Posts )
Doom Saber - 2008-08-29 @ 12:42 am

from wikipedia:

In April 13, 2005, Mattel's competing toy company, MGA Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against My Scene, alleging duplication of its popular doll line, Bratz property's multi-ethnic looks, fashions and packaging and accuses Mattel of engaging in acts of unfair competition and intellectual property infringement intended to damage its market share, confuse consumers and trade on the company's goodwill.

The lawsuit claims Mattel altered "My Scene" to look more like the multi-ethnic Bratz dolls, according to news reports. The lawsuit alleges MGA gave Mattel major competition with its Bratz property and My Scene was susceeding to attract young consumers, so it copied the Bratz product. [1][2]

Doom Saber - 2008-08-29 @ 12:38 am
Mattel also said that the guy who created bratz gave the other company Mattel's secrets.

That is just some BS they made up to get them the money. Tossers.

Bull%#! like how at first, MGA was tryin to get money out of Mattel in claiming that the Myscene figures wrongfully copied the BRATZ figures despite it is all about competition? LMAO

Possible that is why MAttel made the claims since MGA started it

DeathAxe - 2008-08-28 @ 2:56 pm
Mattel also said that the guy who created bratz gave the other company Mattel's secrets.

That is just some BS they made up to get them the money. Tossers.

Doom Saber - 2008-08-28 @ 4:52 am

Mattel also said that the guy who created bratz gave the other company Mattel's secrets.

SUPREMEQUEEN - 2008-08-28 @ 3:12 am

well WOOPTY FREAKIN DOO!!! Gee maby now that Mattle is coming in to all this cash, they'll actualy make & distribute some action figures!!

New MM molds? or is that asking for to much.

MisterPL - 2008-08-28 @ 1:48 am

I'm confused. According to CNN.com, the federal grand jury awarded Mattel $100 million.

(link)

What's the source of this article?

Man-E-Beers - 2008-08-28 @ 1:15 am

Well, many large companies have rules that if you invent something during your work hours, than that invention belongs to them. I work for such a company. They also have the employee sign an agreement to that effect. So although the situation doesn't seem ethically or logically right, legally it may make perfect sense. So the moral of the story is, if you are going to event something, do it on your own time!

Later!

I AM SCI-FI - 2008-08-28 @ 12:31 am
it was over the bratz dolls
I know it was about the Bratz dolls. I wanted to know what exactly about the Bratz dolls the hubbub was about.
Well, I can't say I am suprised. This is what business is in america these days. Bratz is quickly coming close, and will over take barbie sales. Mattel got jealous. THey sued.

So aparently if you work for mattel and invent something, they own it. WTF? and they claimed MGA stole their employee. Stole? seriously the american legal system is a complete joke.

Any other place, and mattel would have been laughed outa court.

Maybe mattel should actually sell some decent products! and stop keeping the only decent stuff they make usa only. I sware I'm sick of seeing the trash they produce on our shelvs, while seeing news of new stuff we will never see.

Ok rant over, thx for watching.

So, an employee of Mattel's came up with the idea for the Bratz dolls while he/she worked there, and took his/her idea to MGA? Did Mattel have any patents for the product or produce any Bratz dolls before the inventor went to MGA? If not, Mattel shouldn't have won.
DeathAxe - 2008-08-27 @ 10:36 pm

Well, I can't say I am suprised. This is what business is in america these days. Bratz is quickly coming close, and will over take barbie sales. Mattel got jealous. THey sued.

So aparently if you work for mattel and invent something, they own it. WTF? and they claimed MGA stole their employee. Stole? seriously the american legal system is a complete joke.

Any other place, and mattel would have been laughed outa court.

Maybe mattel should actually sell some decent products! and stop keeping the only decent stuff they make usa only. I sware I'm sick of seeing the trash they produce on our shelvs, while seeing news of new stuff we will never see.

Ok rant over, thx for watching.

jboy - 2008-08-27 @ 9:37 pm

it was over the bratz dolls

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