The Mud Files in New Bratz Brawls

The Mud files in New Bratz Brawls

I read an article by Ann Zimmerman called It’s the dolls Rematch. It says that Mattel Inc., was going to court to prove once again that Isaac Larian’s MGA Entertainment Inc.  stole the toy company’s intellectual property when it created the popular Bratz doll line a decade ago and this case will determined who is the rightful owner of the sultry looking of dolls. Also there case being litigated in federal court in Santa Ana, Calif., will be devoted to dueling allegations that each company engaged in a host of dirty deeds in an effort to steal trade secrets. "This will be a remarkable trial," Judge David O. Carter said during pretrial motions in the case in October, according to a transcript. MGA alleges at least four former Mattel employees, with the knowledge of Mattel executives, disguised themselves as retailers or toy distributors and complete with fake business cards and dummy invoices and to gain access to competitors' show rooms at toy fairs and glean information on rivals' newest products, price lists and marketing strategies, according to court documents. In an email written by Mattel Chief Executive Robert Eckert that has been presented to the court as evidence, he asks one of his executives if he wants him "to kill" a deal between Mattel and video company THQ. It was who made the Bratz videogames. Mattel disputes both allegations. Mike Zeller, an attorney for Mattel, said the information that MGA claims was stolen weren't trade secrets. "In many cases, MGA had released it to the public." Moreover, Mr. Zeller says MGA's allegations about the events involving THQ are confused and inaccurate. He says “it is reasonable and lawful for a company to evaluate whether to do business with another company if it has concerns.” Mattel, for its part, accuses MGA employees of sneaking into its showrooms to peek at coming products during toy fairs, according to court documents. Then there is the allegation of purloined papers. Mattel alleges that MGA stole trade secrets by encouraging Mattel employees from Mexico, Canada and the U.S. to download Mattel documents before coming to work at MGA, according to court documents.

 I think this whole thing is cine of amazing and crazy that dolls companies really had all these things going on.