Judge To Determine Damages In Bratz Case

A hearing will take place this week in federal court to determine the amount of damages levied against MGA Entertainment in its copyright infringement case involving the popular Bratz doll line. Media reports of the Aug. 26 jury award in favor of Mattel Inc. placed the figure at $40 million and $100 million. Van Nuys-based MGA said the amount was $20 million. The issue before U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson is whether the jury gave duplicated awards to Mattel. The award stems from a July verdict against MGA in a copyright infringement case, stating that designer Carter Bryant had come up with the Bratz concept while a Mattel employee. Mattel had sought $1 billion that MGA had made from its Bratz dolls, a product line that has taken away market share from Mattel’s Barbie. Regardless of the amount of the damages, it is likely that MGA will appeal the decision.