LOS ANGELES -- Shares of Mattel are soaring today after a big court
victory for the toy giant that could leave a lot of young girls upset.
Yesterday, a federal judge banned rival toy maker MGA from making and selling its hugely popular Bratz dolls.
The pouty-lipped dolls with almond-shaped eyes appeared in 2001 and
were an instant hit. MGA took the original four dolls developed by
designer Carter Bryant, and spun them into a line of more than 40
characters, complete with accessories and related lines, including
Bratz Boys, Bratz Petz and Baby Bratz.
MGA has made millions in profits, while sales of Mattel's Barbie have slid.
But yesterday, U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson ordered MGA to
stop making Bratz after a jury found that Bryant developed the concept
while working for Mattel.
The toy maker will also have to get the dolls out of stores, but not until the holiday season is over.