Judge Confirms Bratz Doll is Mattel Property

A federal judge upheld a $100 million jury verdict for Mattel Inc. in its lawsuit against MGA Entertainment Inc. over rights to the Bratz doll, a rival to Mattel’s Barbie. The Bratz doll had been marketed by MGA Entertainment Inc., a company based in Van Nuys, since 2001, but U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson confirmed in his ruling Monday that the doll is Mattel’s property. He appointed a temporary federal receiver to take control of the Bratz brand and MGA’s assets. MGA President Isaac Larian said his company will appeal the ruling. Mattel sued MGA in 2004, alleging that Bratz designer Carter Bryant developed the concept for the doll while working for Mattel. After a four-year legal battle, a jury last year awarded Mattel $10 million for copyright infringement and $90 million for breach of contract.