Legal News

Orrick gives hope that Bratz line will not be spoiled

By Richard Binder

MGA lost their epic battle with Mattel over the Bratz dolls. But this past week the company won a major victory when it convinced the 9th Circuit to put a hold on the doll recall.  The appellate court's order also stays all other equitable relief that Mattel had won, and orders the two sides to try to settle their dispute through mediation.

MGA argued in its appellate brief that Los Angeles federal district court Judge Stephen Larson erred in holding that Mattel owned the designs of employee Carter Bryant, who claims to have created the Bratz dolls, simply because Bryant came up with his ideas while he worked for Mattel.  9th Circuit Chief Judge Alex Kozinski also expressed concern that children who like the dolls would "suffer disruption" if the Bratz line was discontinued.

More at The American Lawyer, which credits the addition of lawyers from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe with helping to secure the recall hold.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on December 11, 2009 (boomark / email).