Federal Judiciary

Mattel v. MGA (9th Cir. - July 22, 2010)

By Shaun Martin

Mattel, which ows Barbie, sued MGA, which owns the "Bratz" line of dolls. Mattel obtained a favorable jury verdict at trial, although it received only $10 million of the $1 billion it requested. But Mattel won an even greater victory thereafter when the district court granted Mattel wide-ranging equitable relief that essentially awarded Mattel control over the vast majority of the Bratz line.

MGA appealed. And this morning, MGA defeated Mattel on virtually every point. Chief Judge Kozinski's opinion holds that while a retrial is likely required on remand, the scope of relief that might perhaps be awarded to Mattel therein is exceptionally limited.

MGA couldn't have hoped for a much more favorable opinion. Barbie took it on the chin.

Full post as published by California Appellate Report on July 22, 2010 (boomark / email).