Bratz Dolls Banned...Seriously

I'm almost afraid to utter these words since I'm sure there's some legal too-good-to-be-true thing going on here, but if what I'm reading is correct, the Bratz dolls are soon to be a thing of the past.

From CNN:

U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson rocked the toy industry with his order that MGA must immediately stop manufacturing Bratz. He allowed MGA to wait until the holiday season ends to remove the toys from store shelves.

Of course, this means that Bratz dolls will very soon become collectors' items and fetch absurd prices on eBay. But we'll no longer have to see these shitty dolls in stores! And we won't have to try to explain the various confusing reasons why they suck so much to our young daughters. In a way, the dolls forced us to confront media saturation and the sexualizing of young girls in a much more upfront way, but hopefully parents will be spared a few conversations of, "No, honey, you can't wear a thong yet."

The decision comes after a long court battle between Bratz manufacturer MGA and Barbie manufacturer Mattel. Attorneys for Mattel claimed that Bratz creator Carter Bryant developed the dolls while he was working for Mattel. I'm guessing Bryant signed something with a no-compete clause since the jury awarded Mattel $10 million for copyright infringement and $90 million for breach of contract.

MGA attorneys are, of course, appealing so Bratz may not disappear right away, but it looks like their days are seriously numbered.

Comments

[amalah]

Dear Mattel,

Congratulations on your court win! Hooray and thank you! And I kind of like those new nostalgia-tinged commercials for Barbies! Go you!

Amy

PS Start manufacturing these damn Bratz dolls yourself and I will set you on fire.

[Amy H]

YAY for no more Bratz dolls! They are banned at my house and I certainly DO NOT give them as gifts to kids. There is no reason for this kind of trashy doll to be out in the marketplace.

[Darcey]

It probably wasn't so much a non-compete clause, but one that states any invention/idea created on company time or while one was an employee for the company is property of Mattel. I've heard of that clause in quite a few industries like that.

[Val]

I hate them also, but I think the win means only that now Mattel will make them instead of MGA.

[Hilary]

I LOATHE and DETEST these stupid dolls, though it's kind of hilarious to me that Barbies are SO MUCH better. 'Cause really, they're not. But I suppose we pick our battles and at least Barbie's nonsense isn't as totally obnoxious at the Bratz's.

[jodifur]

Some lawsuit details are here-

http://www.mamapop.com/mamapop/2008/07/barbie-v-bratz.html

[Jennie]

OMG FINALLY. Thank GOD they are finally getting rid of these disgusting dolls. My girls are nearly-three and eight months old and not even interested in the things, but I'm really glad that it looks like they'll be gone by the time they are old enough to truly beg for toys. Especially since my mother-in-law thinks that they are "cute", despite my banning them from our home.

[Lori]

I bet Mattel starts to make them. I remember there was an article about this in the New Yorker -- Mattel contends that they are the owner of the copyright/dolls, right, since Bryant allegedly came up with the idea when employed by Mattel and then broke away and formed his own company.
So, don't get too excited -- these are big sellers and the lawsuit is all about Mattel wanting to take advantage of it.

[rebecca]

Barbie already has the Bratz-like dolls...My Scene, I think? they are slightly less offensive...but still not allowed in my house.
But (don't stake me!) I have no real problem with regular Barbies...sure, the clothes are ugly and hard to put on, but Barbie has a job, a car, a house, and doesn't dress like Jenna Jameson on acid.

[Keryn]

This makes me so happy! Wonder when they'll stop airing the Bratz commercials 50 gazillion times during every freaking show on Nickelodeon? "Bratz girls really rock..." Sing it with me now! Gah.

[DianaCLT]

Please Please PLEASE make them go away! FOREVER! I hope Mattel takes the high road and doesn't start marketing those ho-dolls themselves!

[Amie]

As much as I want to see Bratz banished from the face of the planet, I also suspect they'll just be produced and marketed by Mattel now.

As far as Barbies, I think they're far better than Bratz dolls, especially since they've toned down her measurements. She's an obviously adult doll, not made to look like a tarted up teen, and the baby dolls that they make for the line NEVER look like miniature prostitutes in the making.

[Daisy]

So afraid that this is a ploy to sell a lot of Bratz dolls during a weak economy. Hoping that is not the case.

The really sad thing is that it kinda makes me want to go buys some to sell later at hiked up rates!

[Daisy]

So afraid that this is a ploy to sell a lot of Bratz dolls during a weak economy. Hoping that is not the case.

The really sad thing is that it kinda makes me want to go buys some to sell later at hiked up rates!

[sweetney]

yeah, sad to say i'm betting this is just going to spawn Bratz version 2.0, courtesy of Mattel. BOOO!

[rednexmama]

I knew something was up when I was in Toys 'r Us and there was NO advertising for Bratz: no sales, no big stickers, no special displays, nada... Just an assload of Bratz dolls on for less than half of what I remember them being when my nieces were obsessed with them. Also, is it wrong that I was seriously considering grabbing the non-ho related things like doll furniture and horses since they were so cheap?? The only thing that held me back was the packaging. I might only be buying a doll-sized bed, but I don't even want to have to look at the lil' ho lying on it in the display. And besides, why send these jackasses my hard-earned money for ANY reason?

[Missie]

Any one else see the resemblance between Bratz dolls and Shauna Sands?

[indycitygirl]

These skanky worthless pieces of shite have always been banned in my house!! I do not allow my 7 year old to even get within breathing distance of them and they are NEVER allowed to be given as gifts to her...Why all the hate you may ask,well I think its just plain wrong to let her play with dolls that glorify looking like hookers whos only goal in life is to go to the mall,act like harlots and covet boys!! Good for Mattel!!!Just too slutty looking for me and I am no prude but NO!!!