RIVERSIDE – The battle between Barbie and Bratz has gone to a jury.
Lawyers completed closing arguments Thursday in the copyright infringement lawsuit that pits Barbie's maker Mattel against MGA Entertainment Inc., which introduced the hugely successful Bratz line in 2001.
Mattel, the world's biggest toy maker, claims it owns the rights to the Bratz franchise because its former employee Carter Bryant created the concept while under contract with the company.
MGA lawyer Tom Nolan said in fiery closing arguments in a Riverside federal court that the lawsuit was about Barbie trying to avoid competition.
Nolan said “For 40 years Barbie was the only doll in town, and then Bratz came in and knocked her off her pedestal.”
Information from: Los Angeles Times, www.latimes.com
